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Batman The Animated Newsletter #19

Batman The Animated Newsletter #19

Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Week of March 8 – 13/14, 1999
Volume 2,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language”

THIS WEEK’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “THE ALT.ANIMATION.BATMAN NEWSGROUP IS UP AND RUNNING. VISIT! VISIT!”
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to another action-packed issue of “Batman: The Animated Newsletter”!
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SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE
NOTE: “Batman: The Animated Newsletter” will be delivered at weekly intervals, and not bi-weekly – this is to compensate for the “Batman Beyond” episodes which are being aired every weekend now. This is also to shorten the newsletter, so all of our subscribers with free/limited e-mail providers can read the newsletter. This means that all of our features from our writers, such as comic reviews, toy reviews, and editorials, may not appear in every issue. We may go back to the bi-weekly format in May, but for the time being, this is it. Stay tuned!
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DC’S ANIMATED LEGACY
In early 1990, in the aftermath of the blockbuster “Batman” film, ideas began to form about an animated Batman series. This task had been attempted in the past, from the 60’s to the 80’s, but the series were, moreover, a disappointment. However, in September of 1992, when “Batman: The Animated Series” debuted, it became a financial and critical success – seen as the best non-comics interpretation of Batman in history.
After 65 episodes, season two began in 1994 with a new name for the series – “The Adventures of Batman & Robin”. Like all other aspects of the Bat-mythos in that year, things lightened up a bit – mostly due to Robin playing a heavier role in the series. In 1995, the series passed away silently with 85 episodes, a feature-film, and 4 emmy awards under its Bat-belt.
In 1996, the BTAS team moved on to work on a series for DC’s other major hero, Superman. After 13 episodes, the season got off to a shaky start, but when it was paired up with Batman in the fall of 1997, it got the exposure it needed and began to thrive. In this year, Batman was renewed and 24 more episodes (including a number of crossovers with Superman) were given the go-ahead.
Just as the 1998/99 season of Batman/Superman was drawing to a close, the WB team surprised us once again with a new animated series – a futuristic version of Batman entitled “BATMAN BEYOND”. The season has just begun and it’s already a hit! This is the episode the WB team will be working on until the end of the 1999/2000 season. What will follow? Rumor right now is…MORE BATMAN (the regular one)! Woohoo!
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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 LOSS OF THE WB ON WGN: Beginning this fall, the WB will no longer be carried on WGN-TV’s national feed to avoid conflicts with other WB affiliates. WGN-TV will continue carrying the prime time WB in the Chicago area. If you’re outside the Chicago area and know of no other way to pick up the WB, you may call them at (818)977-5000 for more information. This is taken from the info section of the WGN website, http://www.wgn.com . Thank you for Peter Destructo for pointing this out.

‘SHRIEK’
Batman Beyond #10
Air date: March 13, 1999
Powers hires another villain named Shriek (who uses sound-waves as a weapon) to nix the Bat.

‘DEAD MAN’S HAND’
Batman Beyond #06
Air date: March 20, 1999
The Future Knight takes on the Royal Flush Gang – and one of them develops a crush on Terry. Rumor of a Catwoman appearance of sorts.

‘DEMON REBORN’
Superman #??
Air date: ??
BATMAN’S FINAL CURRENT-DAY ANIMATED APPEARANCE! This episode, originally entitled “Rise of the Demon”, features Batman and Superman teaming up to take down Ra’s Al Ghul. One parter, probably – WOOHOO! THE BAT IS BACK! This’ll probably air in May.

‘LEGACY (Pt. 1 & 2)’
Superman #??
Air date: ??
This two-parter, featuring the final showdown between Superman and Darksied, will be the season finale, airing this May.
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WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Brian Cruz and/or the official BTAS/STAS site)

This section of the newsletter highlights the schedule and times that WB airs The New Batman/Superman Adventures. For most affiliates it airs Monday – Friday at 4pm (ET) and Saturdays beginning at 8am (ET). WGN airs Batman/Superman Monday – Friday at 10am (ET) and Sundays beginning at 8am (ET). There’s a chance that your local WB channel airs it at a differant time. To find out when, we recommend you follow this URL (provided by Toonzone): http://www.toonzone.net/brian/stations/index.htmlPS – Remember that “Batman Beyond” airs 30 minutes AFTER “Batman/Superman” is over, because “Men In Black” has been squeezed in between.

Mon 3-08-99: Superman #45 Knight Time
Batman #101 Animal Act

Tue 3-09-99: Batman #18 Beware the Grey Ghost
Superman #18 Livewire

Wed 3-10-99: Superman #06 The Way of All Flesh
Batman #84 Deep Freeze

Thu 3-11-99: Batman #75 Bane
Batman #100 Cult of the Cat

Fri 3-12-99: Superman #37 Little Girl Lost (Pt. 1)
Superman #38 Little Girl Lost (Pt. 2)

Sat 3-13-99: Superman #52 Little Big Head Man
Batman #108 Beware the Creeper
B-BEYOND #10 Shriek —-NEW!!!

Note: All episodes #86 and onward of BATMAN are considered THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES while the original 85 are considered BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS) episodes.
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CARTOON NETWORK WB ANIMATION SCHEDULE:
“Yabba Dabba Doom”
(courtesy of Brian Cruz)

THE CARTOON NETWORK was able to get the exclusive rights to 52 episodes of the classic Batman: The Animated Series, as well as MASK OF THE PHANTASM and SUB-ZERO. If our schedule listings is not complete or up to date then please go to TOONZONE for the complete episode schedule:
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/schedules/batman-cn.html

Mon 3-08-99: #29 Eternal Youth
Tue 3-09-99: #31 The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
Wed 3-10-99: #34 Night of the Ninja
Thu 3-11-99: #35 Cat Scratch Fever
Fri 3-12-99: #36 The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne

NOTE #1: MASK OF THE PHANTASM will be airing on CARTOON NETWORK again at 8pm (ET) on March 13th. It also looks like Kids’WB! won’t be airing MASK OF THE PHANTASM at all.
NOTE #2: BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO will be airing again on CARTOON NETWORK on May 22nd at 8pm (ET) as apart of their CARTOON THEATRE
NOTE #3: CARTOON NETWORK will be having a BATMAN ‘SUPER-CHUNK’ on May 29th. The 3 hour BATMAN Super-Chunk will be from 4pm-7pm (ET). The ‘SUPER-CHUCK’ means that we’ll have three hours worth of BATMAN episodes.
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EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)

All of Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton’s reviews of the new-style BTAS episodes and BATMAN BEYOND can be found via these links, which link to “Two-Face’s Tower of Tranquility and Terror”:

MAIN PAGE: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFace/index.html
BTAS PAGE: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFaceText/bats.html


BLACK OUT
Written by Robert Goodman
Directed by Dan Riba
Animation by Dong Yang
Original air date: January 30, 1999
My rating: ****

This episode, while not carrying the emotional baggage introduced in “Rebirth” is still an awesome episode is terrific foreshadowing of forthcoming episodes.

In Future Gotham, various Foxtecha facilities are being sabotaged, causing a great amount of suspicion. (Foxtecha is a company founded by Lucious Fox (remember Bruce’s ol’ buddy?), one of the few companies in Gotham that Derek Powers doesn’t own.) We soon learn that a “liquid spy”, known as Inque, is the saboteur. She works for Powers, who is in competition with Foxtecha to have the government grant them allowance to build some sort of space station; Powers must win, so he cripples his competition, to make them uneligible.

Terry (the “new” Batman) is then sent out by Bruce Wayne to combat Inque. Bruce (who is connected to Powers’ dealings, for his company is named “Wayne Powers”) does not want to be connected to these acts, and still holds ties to the Fox family; besides Inque endangering innocent lives, this is why Bruce feels this villain should be blotted out ASAP.

The finale of the episode takes place in…the Batcave, of all places. Inque sneaks in, and there is a huge fight in which nearly every character ever introduced to the Bat-mythos is referred to in some way.

Awesome episode. First off, Inque is just really cool to watch. Dong Yang’s animation is superb; Inque’s shapeshifting is very reminiscent of Clayface’s, but while he was a big hulking mass of mud, Inque is sleek and glimmering. (Comparing abilities, though, Clayface still has the edge, cuz Inque can only change shape, while Clayface can change his voice, colouring, etc…) Inque really likes to hide out in the shadows, and is lightning quick. Her dialogue is minimal, but that is OK, because she makes up for that with all of her cool shape-shifting. That alone makes the episode fun to watch.

The Batmobile is introduced. It’s more like the Batwing, though, but hey, it’s there – the interior is very Frank-Miller-ish, like the Batmobile seen in BTAS’ “Legends of the Dark Knight” episode.

We also get to see Barbara Gordon at the GCPD, and learn she hasn’t spoken to Bruce for ages. This is foreshadowing for things to come.

Derek Powers’ character is also expanded, as we learn that after the nerve-gas situation in “Rebirth”, he has to wear a protective skin to hide his radioactive body. The catch is that this skin only lasts 24 hours, and then flakes off; we get to see it flaking in this episode, and scares the bejesus out of Inque. Ugh.

In the finale of the episode, we finally get to see a large portion of the Batcave’s trophy room. In BTAS, we saw only Two-Face’s giant penny in “Over the Edge”, and then in “Rebirth (Pt. 1)” we saw that, in addition to the Joker card, Calendar Girl’s dinosaur, Harley’s costume the Scarface puppet, and the costumes of all the “heroes”. Here we see all this and more, including the full costumes of the Gray Ghost, Catwoman, the Riddler, the Penguin, Firefly, the Mad Hatter, and Mr. Freeze. Bruce should be counting his blessings for running into Freeze, for it was through the use of his freeze gun that allowed Terry to defeat Inque before she escaped into Wayne Manor.

The most astounding part of the episode, however, was when Inque first attacked Terry in the Batcave – she went down his throat! EWWW! But it looked awesome, just about as awesome as when he threw her right back up. That was pretty disturbing, actually…but cool.

It’s also nice to note that Terry is never referred to as “Batman” here – and that’s a good thing. Bruce is the only Batman! ONLY ONE! So there.

Anyhow, great episode. The relationship between Terry and Bruce is strengthening, the animation was terrific, and it looks like the new rogue’s gallery is off to a great start. Must see it! 4 stars outa 5.
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THE ORIGINAL 85
(by E. Nygma)

E. Nygma was unable to submit his reviews for the printing of this letter, but fear not, he will return shortly!
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EDITORAL
(by Laura Hysert, aka “Phoenix”)

Laura will be back.
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TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
– a column dedicated to “Batman Beyond”
(by Ed Wiser)
ewiser@iglou.com

Mr. Wiser was unable to submit an article for this column at the printing of this newsletter. But fear not, he WILL return shortly!
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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! *EVIL LAUGH* This trivia is all animated-related in some form, and can deal with ANY aspect of the show or comics. Some are easy, some are not. Now have fun – let’s see how well you do! Answers are provided in the following section.

Last week I had the idea to do a quiz entirely based on cameo appearances of certain characters. Soooo…heeeeeeere’s the quiz!

81. Ra’s Al Ghul made a cameo appearance at the end of WHAT episode in this list?

A: “THE DEMON’S QUEST (Pt. 1)”
B: “OFF BALANCE”
C: “ETERNAL YOUTH”
D: “REBIRTH (Pt. 2)”
E: “THE DEMON WITHIN”

82. Doctor Leslie Thompkins has only made one appearance on TNBA – a cameo. What episode was it in?

A: “SINS OF THE FATHER”
B: “WORLD’S FINEST (Pt. 2)”
C: “TORCH SONG”
D: “CHEMISTRY”
E: “CULT OF THE CAT”

83. Which of the following villains made a cameo appearance in “TRIAL”, but never said a word?

A: KILLER CROC
B: RUPERT THORNE
C: THE RIDDLER
D: THE MAD HATTER
E: THE PENGUIN

84. Two-Face has made more cameo appearances than anyone, probably, but usually only as Harvey Dent. In which of these non-Two-Face episodes did he actually appear, as Harvey Dent, even if it was just for a split-second?

A: “HEART OF ICE”
B: “HOUSE AND GARDEN”
C: “THE WORRY MEN”
D: “PRETTY POISON”
E: “VENDETTA”

85. Prior to becoming Batgirl, Barbara Gordon made appearances on BTAS. In what of the following episodes did she appear, but only as a cameo?

A: “I AM THE NIGHT”
B: “HEART OF STEEL (Pt. 2)”
C: “IT’S NEVER TOO LATE”
D: “WHAT IS REALITY?”
E: “ON LEATHER WINGS”
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ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA

Answer to #81: ‘B’
Answer to #82: ‘D’
Answer to #83: ‘C’
Answer to #84: ‘A, B, E’
Answer to #85: ‘A’
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LITTLE FACTS
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)

Here is a section that just points out various little facts that we have noticed while watching BTAS and STAS countless times. If you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!

CONBTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
-None by the staff this time. Gotta go check the retinas, I guess…

CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(Rahat Husain)
1) Batman’s birthday is on February 19. Whoever knew that, raise their hand! (This was apparently made known in a DC calendar in 1976…anyone have one?)

(Matthew D Schultz)
2) When Darcie is first introduced in “Obsession” there is a pan across the various reporters there for the event. With some super observation (or slo-mo) you can see that one of the reporters is undeniably Billy Batson, the child alter-ego of SHAZAM (or Captain Marvel). I thought it was a great way to work in a small and logical (Billy Batson was a reporter as well) cross-over into the larger DCU.

(Kelly Tindall)
3)In “Where There’s Smoke”, the villainous Kurt is a homage to Nick Fury, a Marvel character. The suits of Kurt’s henchmen resemble those of AIM, the Advanced Idea Mechanics, villains of Captain America. Jack Kirby created the Captain, and worked on all three. Jack Kirby is one
of series designer Bruce Timm’s idols.

4)In “House and Garden”, Poison Ivy’s cactus-man poisons Daniel Mockridge, the man responsible for creating the Riddler.
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED FIGURES
(by Kevin Smith)
ktsmit2@ilstu.edu
Oh_Ho77@hotmail.com

BATTY ABOUT TOYS

I was thinking about the Batman Animated toyline one night (ok, so I couldn’t go to sleep), and I was thinking about this column (how it’s been a while since I’ve written new stuff for it), and thinking about how I *really* want to get my claws on a Mr. Freeze with removable head
figure. (Insect Body Mr. Freeze).

And what should pop into my head, but the thought of the old series Mr. Freeze figure. T.O.S. Mr. Freeze and the Phantasm have been my favorite two figures, and Harley Quinn comes in third. Fourth would be the New Adventures Two-Face (they did a nice job of detailing on him). I guess I’d place Combat Belt Batman in there as fifth.

I thought about how Mr. Freeze, in my humble opinion, looked more like his design from
the show than any other figure. I also thought about the New Style Riddler figure set to come out this year, and I decided that if there was one figure that I wanted made, it would be a New Style Catwoman in a pose like her design by Bruce Timm (not another funky in-step pose like
TOS Catwoman and Poison Ivy).

So, in all this, I’d thought I’d pose the question to readers – what figures rank in your top 5, and what one figure would you like to have made? This is your chance to have your opinion
heard! I will include responses in the following issues.
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COMIC REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: “Never an Option” (#12)
WRITTEN BY: Ty Templeton
PENCILED BY: Rick Burchett
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: March 3, 1999 (Cover date is May)
RATING: **.5 (out of 5)

“Of course you get to live. You’re one of the good guys.” -Two-Face to Batman

SUMMARY: After being caught in customs, some smugglers take a hostage, but Two-Face surprisingly drops in and stops them. Later, at police headquarters, Harvey Dent’s psychiatrist discusses several cases of Two-Face acting as good guy with Batman and Commisioner Gordon. She reveals that Harvey is using a weighted coin that always lands good side up; this coupled with his identity of the Judge has caused him to make decent decisions. She is worried, though, that Harvey has some sort of death wish since the Judge sentenced him to death for all his crimes. Batman finds out from an accomplice of Two-Face what he is planning
next, but he is inabled by a statue, so Harvey gets away. However, through deductive reasoning, Batman figures out what Harvey is up to. Meanwhile, Two-Face is planning to get out of Gotham with help from members of the Janus Corporation (see “The Lost Years” for background). However, he double-crosses them, and sends them out with parachutes. Batman has been clinging to the outside of the plane this whole time and he swoops in for a skirmish with Dent. Only one parachute is left and the controls to the plane are ruined, so Two-Face says that if the good side comes up, Batman gets the parachute and Harvey dies. Batman tells him that the coin is rigged, but he says it doesn’t matter, and when good side comes up, he leaps out of the plane. Batman takes the parachute and jumps after him, grabbing him and opening the chute just as the plane crashes.

COMMENTS: This issue had some good things going for it. First, it incorporated characters from the show (Harvey’s shrink, the twin henchguys (Min and Max)) nicely. It’s always interesting to see supporting characters again, and this book does a great job. Next, the reference to Two-Face’s drug smuggling a few years ago was made. This was a nice, relevant reference to the Lost Years. Also, the art in this issue was, as always, superb. (Check out the final page, for example.) I also like the little gags and nuances a lot. Don’t the two drug smugglers from the very beginning of the issue bear a suspicious resemblance to Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob?…

CRITICISMS: All in all, I didn’t feel that this story had too much depth. It was just another “switch the coin on Two-Face” escapade with a few rather pointless fights. However, I did like the ending; the last few pages were very dramatic and hopeful. Still, it was too little, too
late.

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a fan of Two-Face, you might enjoy this; otherwise, you may be disapointed.
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COMIC SCHEDULES & COVERING THE BASICS
This section gives a little bit more indepth look into each monthly issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. We have meshed this section with our “COVERING THE BASICS” section, to make the newsletter much more succint. Below each comic listing is a link to the cover of that comic. TALK ABOUT SERVICE!
The price is $1.99 in the US and..grrrrr….now a whopping $3.25 in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the “grrr”.)

“ANIMATED” COMICS

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #13
April 7th
It’s the return of Mastermind, the Perfessor and Mister Nice (from the pages of the original BATMAN ADVENTURES series)! This criminal trio has faced its share of challenges in the past, but now a visit from a strange child could lead to the dissolution of their partnership, if not their very lives! Can Batman save some of his greatest enemies?
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmga13.jpg

NEXT MONTH: – The final issue of “Gotham Adventures” written by Ty Templeton (we’ll miss you)! This issue follows-up on the storyline in , where Harley resists being seduced by the dark side and returning to the Joker. Her romance novel is panned by critics so she goes on a rampage involving…mind control? *SINGS* “I’m a Harley girl, in a Harley wurrr-urr-urld…I’m never static…it’s fantastic…”
Cover: not available

BATMAN BEYOND #3
March 17th
One of the all-new villains from the Batman Beyond animated series menaces the Batman of the future. As the radioactive foe known as Blight tries to procure a substance that will help him render inert all the sources of power in Gotham City, Batman might have to choose between stopping the villain and saving a group of homeless kids who get in the
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bb/bb3.jpg

NEXT MONTH: Issue #4 – Etrigan, the Demon, makes an appearance.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmb4.jpg

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #32
March 3rd
Meet Daily Planet janitor Ben Sullivan’s girlfriend…Lois Lane? Ben, a mild-mannered staffer with a huge crush on Lois, accidentally becomes the object of the reporter’s affections when she’s hit by a supervillain’s hypnotic device. Now Ben’s in seventh heaven while Superman not only must foil a foe who can plant hypnotic suggestions in anyone’s mind, but also find a way to break Lois’s trance before it becomes irreversible!

NEXT MONTH:
Superman’s greatest enemies have never figured out that Clark Kent and the Man of Steel are one and the same person — until now. Who’s learned the world’s greatest secret, and how can Clark prove him wrong before he reveals it to the entire world?
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ANIMATED NEWS AND RUMORS

OTHER
-Color me corrected. My doubting the truth to the rumors of the Supergirl/Lobo animated series is no more. Bruce Timm confirms that both projects were indeed in the early stages. Although no final decision by the WB has been finalized, the Supergirl series looked less likely to happen but Lobo (oddly enough) “looks real good for a 13-episode commitment this fall,” Timm was quoted as saying. (Thanks for the info, Gookie!)

MOVIES
-Rumor has it that the third animated Bat-movie will dive deeper into the romantic relationship between Dick and Barbara. But the burning question for most people is…WHO’S THE VILLAIN?
-Batman 5 rumors have resurfaced, but nothing new. Schumacher states he wants to do a “Year One” film with an unknown actor under the cowl. One mentioned Leonardo DiCaprio, but Schumacher said NO. Good choice.
-The problems surrounding the eternally-postponed SPIDERMAN movie have now been solved! Yes, I know that Spiderman has nothing to do with DC – or DOES he? Y’see, this is the first major threat to the Bat-franchise so this will make WB’s work on the next Bat-film much more interesting to watch!
-As for “Superman Lives” – it isn’t shelved, but is in what is pleasantly referred to as “development hell” right now. As far as the WB is concerned, even “Batman 5” is closer to being made this Supie.
-NBC will be showing the 1995 WB film “BATMAN FOREVER” from 8:30pm to 11pm on April 4th

“CURRENT” ANIMATED SERIES’
-Kevin Conroy appears in an exclusive interview and talks about Batman: TNBA, Batman Beyond and why making WORLD’S FINEST was so fun in the latest issue of SCI-FI TV. SCI-FI TV #4 (April 1999) has a cover price of $4.99US/$6.50CAN.
-An interview with Michael Reaves, one of co-creators on BTAS, Gargoyles, and Invasion America can be found just by following the link:
http://www.animationartist.com/interviews/Michael_Reaves/michael_reaves.html

BATMAN BEYOND
-Check out of WIZARD magazine for an in-depth look at the creation of “Batman Beyond”! This issue’s cover date is Feb. 1999.
-Ra’s Al Ghul is currently NOT planned to be on BEYOND. However, Talia IS. (Where’s Ubu?)

ANIMATED COMICS
-BATMAN BEYOND has now shifted from a 6 issue mini-series to an ongoing series! Hmmm…this seems familiar! The exact same thing happened to BATMAN ADVENTURES way back in 1992!
-GOTHAM ADVENTURES, SUPERMAN ADVENTURES, BATMAN BEYOND, and the other WB and Cartoon Network books are getting a new editor. To see who, then follow this link and scroll down a bit:
http://www.mania.com/BUZZ/index.asp?x_date=3/2/99

OTHER COMICS
-DEVIN GRAYSON is leaving CATWOMAN as of . She will be replaced by JOHN OSTRANDER, who will be doing a 6 issue stint on the title.

TOYS & MERCHANDISE
-The “Mission Masters” series continues in Wave 4 of the new-style animated figures. Riddler is the featured villain and there will undoubtedly be a multitude of hero variants – including a new Batman, and, finally, another Robin (Tim Drake)!
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THE ROAD THROUGH NO MAN’S LAND
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)

Yes, I know this isn’t really an animated topic, but I thought, hey, it’s Batman’s 60th anniversary, and this is the big event they’re pulling off, so I should have a section dedicated to this year-long crossover. Besides, so far it’s been excellent in every issue. We have this section split up into two parts – the first saying what has already happened, the second previewing what’s to come. Enjoy!

UP UNTIL NOW…
After 100 days of absence, Batman has returned, and took down the Ventriloquist and Scarface; Rhino no runs that sector of town under Batman’s control. The GCPD have eliminated the “lesser” gangs in Gotham by starting up a bloody turf war. Batgirl has appeared here and there, and has also encountered Batman himself. Pretty much all the villains have made an appearance as a cameo by now.
The Scarecrow took up refuge in the “Faith Sector” of town, and tries to get them to get into a major gang-war with the Penguin and Black Mask. The Huntress is the only hope once Father Chris agrees to store Penguin’s weapons at the church in exchange for food. Batman and Huntress eventually take the Scarecrow down – but he’s still on the loose.
In the most recent story, we see a flashback of Rene Montoya in Downtown Gotham, where she runs into good-Samaritan Two-Face, who is helping the people there, due to the luck of the coin. Batgirl saves a couple from the Joker’s old hideout, and Harold (Batman’s mechanic) runs into Gotham to “help fix things”.

That’s 9 issues of NML so far. For a complete list, e-mail us.

AS FOR THE OTHER HEROES:
Superman just paid a visit to Bludhaven, to help Nightwing with dealing with the influx of homeless Gothamites. Robin and the Flash are still in hot pursuit of the Riddler and Cpt. Boomerang. They will return to Gotham, but when?
Superman himself arrives in Gotham this April in Batman #566.
Catwoman’s not really a hero, but I’ll include her here anyhow. She’s still searching the world for more pretty things. Paris didn’t satisfy her – but will New York?

WHAT’S TO COME…
-In the first half of March, Batman will be dealing with the remnants of Black Mask’s gang, and then in the second half of March, takes on the Penguin himself.
-May, we see the GCPD confront the Penguin, and Batman confronts Two-Face.
-See more below.

AND AS FOR THE REMAINING VILLAINS…
-Mr. Freeze seizes control of the power plant to stay alive – and to have something valuable to trade with the rest of society. His story involves – a plumber?
-Bane tries to gain control of the city – again – but has to break in from the outside – across the river filled with land mines.
-Poison Ivy seeks refuge in the Robinson Park.
-Penguin seems to have the only access to points of the world OUTSIDE of Gotham, and basically rules the city, living in luxury. The GCPD will move in on him during the first major turf war in NO MAN’S LAND.
-Two-Face has seized control of the political and financial districts in Downtown Gotham, and has a unique tie to Rene Montoya of the GCPD. While the GCPD confronts the Penguin, Batman tries to take Two-Face down but fails in his first attempt. Two-Face then releases the Russian assassin “Echo” from Blackgate Prison, who goes on a killing spree, with a bounty on Batgirl’s head.
-The Joker doesn’t appear as a major player until close to the end, along with the new, improved Harley Quinn – whom will appear in civilian form mid-way through the crossover.
-The Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Mr. Zsasz, and various other “lesser” villains have their own chunks of Gotham to rule as well.
-Other villain heavyweights like Clayface, Firefly, and Ra’s Al Ghul will most likely have roles as well, but no details have been given for them yet.
-Lots of new NO MAN’S LAND info can be found at this site now: http://www.mania.com
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TWO-FACE’S TRADING POST
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)

I know that there are many people out there that collect Batman OR Superman items – like
myself. I only started a year ago and, believe me, finding some of these items (like action figures) that were released a couple years ago is pretty tough! So, I decided to start up a
little section in the newsletter to help out our fellow Bat-fans. I can only personally guarantee that my entries are 100% true, for I saw these items with my own eyes. So we’re working on the honour system here. Sound fair?

ALSO if you are LOOKING for something, e-mail me and I can put your request in the “WANT TO BUY” section. There is the possibility that a fellow subscriber is willing to sell what you’re looking for!

Well, if this section proves to not be a help for anyone, I’ll just abandon it. But I thought I should give it a try. If anyone has any items they’d like to post in this section, feel free to do so – just give a brief description, name, e-mail address. Thank you!

IMPORTANT QUERY: Many fans have been unable to see any of the new-style BTAS episodes, and any of the STAS or BATMAN BEYOND episodes. Can someone who is in the know point out a website that tells the copyright laws regarding taping episodes off the TV and selling them to people who want ’em? I’m not saying we’re doing this – but I know it would help many out. So if anyone has any official info on this (or, better yet, if someone from the WB network contact us), that’d be great. In the meantime, we won’t be selling or trading any home-recorded BTAS episodes here.

Well, here we go! I hope this helps out someone out there!

1. THE MAD HATTER. Yup! Editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton has one spare BTAS “Mad Hatter” figure in his possession that he is willing to get rid of. This is the only Mad Hatter figure in existance (to our collective knowledge), and is a wonderful figure besides! Sure, that was a shameless plug, but it IS a cool figure. If interested, e-mail him at: juno@direct.ca

2. THE CREEPER. Anyone want this figure? Mail editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton and he’ll be able to find one for you. E-mail: juno@direct.ca

———-
WANTS TO BUY

1. CLAYFACE. Anyone know where to get a “Legends of the Dark Knight” Clayface figure? I know it’s not animated, but it still counts for this column…can anyone help? E-mail: juno@direct.ca
_______________________
FEATURED BAT-SITE FOR THIS ISSUE

Brian Davis is one of the people that helped make our newsletter known to the public way back when we started in July of 1998. And now he’s started his OWN newsletter, featuring the Bat-mythos seen in the eyes of those in the UK. Subscribe today!

——

Starting soon, a brand new Batman newsletter from the United Kingdom. Brian Davis, well know UK Batfan will be bringing you all the gossip regarding Batman from the UK. There will be exclusive news, reviews and interviews. You will get the news as it happens !!! Hear what the UK think of the latest Batman projects. This monthly newsletter will be very entertaining for fans in all parts of the world. To subscribe simply go to :
http://members.aol.com/BDavis2613/mailer.html

If you would like to write a letter or ask some questions for the letter
section then please e-mail me at: BDavis2613@aol.com
______________________
ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:

* – indicates a shameless plug for a site a certain double-faced editor created with his bare hands – in other words, a cheap advertising technique.

OFFICIAL SITES
—–
THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
http://www.batman-superman.com

BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://www.batmantas.com

BATMAN BEYOND
http://www.batmanbeyond.com

SUB-ZERO: THE DEFINTIE GUIDE
http://www.batman-subzero.com

DC COMICS
http://www.dccomics.com

TOON ZONE
http://www.toonzone.net

RAVING TOY MANIAC
http://www.toymania.com

VOICE CHASERS
http://www.voicecharsers.org

UNOFFICIAL SITES
—–
*TWO-FACE’S TOWER OF TRANQUILITY AND TERROR
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFace/index.html

BRIAN CRUZ’ WB CARTOON PAGE
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/index.html

BRIAN’S BATMAN PAGE
http://members.aol.com/bdavis2613/main.html

GOTHAM GAZETTE
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp

BATMAN: THE ANIMATED HOMEPAGE
http://www3.sympatico.ca/quartet/home.htm

RA’S AL GHUL’S THE LAZARUS PIT
http://www.aitnet.et/lazaruspit

ANIMANIA
http://hjem.get2net.dk/twt/home.htm

HARLEY’S HAVEN OF HEDONISM
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/harlequinhideaway

THE ANIMATED BAT
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7382/index.html

BATMAN/SUPERMAN SNAP JUDGMENTS
http://www.snapjudgments.com/batsup.html

BATMAN BEYOND MULTIMEDIA
http://www.prophecysite.com/batman.htm

THE BATCOMPUTER
http://members.spree.com/batcomputer

BATMAN: FOREVER KNIGHT
http://batman.techv.net

WORLD’S FINEST
http://members.spree.com/sip/worldsfinest

CHARACTERS ON THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN
http://www.xse.com/leres/batman.html

ARKHAM ASYLUM
http://animation.acmecity.com/saturday/352

JLA: THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://animation.acmecity.com/character/375

THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES: THE UNOFFICIAL SITE
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/5158

MESSAGE BOARDS
—–
HEAVY DUTY DUBBAS DISCUSSION CENTER
http://members.spree.com/sip/hddboards

SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED MESSAGE BOARD
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb158314

NEWSGROUPS
—–
news:alt.comics.batman
news:alt.animation.batman
news:alt.comics.superman
news:rec.arts.sf.superman
news:alt.tv.cartoon-network
news:rec.arts.animation
news:alt.animation.warner-bros
_______________________
QUESTIONS, SUBMISSIONS, AND FAN-MAIL

If you have any questions, problems, links do not work, or anything else then please e-mail this address with your problems and we’ll try to fix them as soon as possible. Also if you’d like to send any fan-mail then please send it to this address:

btaninfo@yahoo.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 artcile, and everyone is entitled to it.
_______________________
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES

The very kind people at TOONZONE were nice enough to give us our own little section of their huge and diverse website. The archives contain past newsletters and is semi-regularly updated with the latest one. To check it out go here:

TOONZONE’s BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/wbc/btan

If you’re interested in information about the newsletter or are just plain curious about some of our news, schedules, websites, etc… then please e-mail here:

btaninfo@yahoo.com
_______________________
LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE’S HOW!!!

For those of you who are seeing this at the WBC HOMEPAGE BTAN ARCHIVES section, and want to subscribe just follow these simple instructions:

To subscribe email juno@direct.ca and put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

For more information the newsletter just email btaninfo@yahoo.com
Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading! Tell your friends!

-Tim TWO-FACE Leighton and Dick Grayson, editors
_______________________
TO ALL GOOD THINGS…
…there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, jokes, reviews and other articles. We hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it! See ya next time!

CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER

EDITORS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton and “Dick Grayson”
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Brian Cruz
BTAS REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
EDITORIAL: Laura Hysert
BATMAN BEYOND COLUMN: Ed Wiser
COMIC REVIEWS: Aaron Maurer
TOY REVIEW: Kevin Smith
ORIGINAL BTAS REVIEWS: “E. Nygma”
“BTAN ARCHIVES” MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
ROAD THROUGH NO MAN’S LAND: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
TWO-FACE’S TRADING POST: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
PROMOTIONS AND JUST GETTIN’ THE WORD AROUND: Dick Grayson, Eileen Delgadillo, Brian Cruz, Brian Davis
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-P Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
DELIVERY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane (who else?)

All elements in this newsletter have been copyrighted (copywritten?) by DC Comics, 1999.
________________________

Batman The Animated Newsletter #19

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