Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Week of June 7 – June 19/20, 1999
Volume 2,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language and occasional griping”
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “CONGRATS TO THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN TEAMS FOR WINNING YET ANOTHER EMMY!”
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to another issue of “Batman: The Animated Newsletter”. Enjoy!
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HOLY BAT-MUSIC, BATMAN!
Yeah I know a real cheesy opening but it grabbed your attention, right? As you may know RHINO RECORDS is releasing BATMAN BEYOND: THE SOUNDTRACK to stores everywhere on August 17th. We’re hoping this causes a demand for a CD of music from BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES. But this may not happen if you don’t help us out. If you would like such a CD then please email RHINO RECORDS and demand a BTAS CD be put out! The email address is:
drrhino@rhino.com
Only you can help us finally get a BTAS CD! If this BATMAN BEYOND CD is popular enough, which it should be, then this’ll be a no-brainer for RHINO RECORDS.
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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.
KidsWB will soon be shown on a new channel called “WeB” – I know little about this – but if you can get that channel, I’m pretty sure the WB shows would be on.
‘THE DEMON REBORN’
Superman #44?
Air date: ??
BATMAN’S FINAL CURRENT-DAY ANIMATED APPEARANCE! This episode features Batman and Superman teaming up to take down Ra’s Al Ghul, who has plans to send the world back to its natural, pre-human state. WOOHOO! THE BAT IS BACK! Airs in May or September.
‘LEGACY (Pt. 1 & 2)’
Superman #48, 49?
Air date: ??
This two-parter features the final showdown between Superman and Darksied in which he strips Superman of his memory and adopts him as a son in an effort to take over Earth. Now it seems this won’t air until September! Argh!
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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.html
PS – Remember that “Batman Beyond” airs 30 minutes AFTER “Batman/Superman” is over, because “Men In Black” has been squeezed in between.
THIS WEEK:
Mon 6-07-99: Superman #08 The Main Man (Pt. 1)
Superman #11 The Main Man (Pt. 2)
Tue 6-08-99: Superman #22 Speed Demons
Batman #30 Perchance to Dream
Wed 6-09-99: Batman #90 You Scratch My Back
Superman #28 Father’s Day
Thu 6-10-99: Superman #23 Double Dose
Batman #89 Double Talk
Fri 6-11-99: Batman #32 Robin’s Reckoning (Pt. 1)
Batman #37 Robin’s Reckoning (Pt. 2)
Sat 6-12-99: Batman #106 Mad Love
Superman #46 Absolute Power
B-BEYOND #05 The Winning Edge
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 6-14-99: Batman #01 On Leather Wings
Batman #92 Joker’s Millions
Tue 6-15-99: Superman #32 The Late Mr. Kent
Batman #80 Second Chance
Wed 6-16-99: Batman #91 Never Fear
Superman #20 Identity Crisis
Thu 6-17-99: Superman #19 Target
Batman #77 The Lion and the Unicorn
Fri 6-18-99: Superman #09 Stolen Memories
Batman #103 The Demon Within
Sat 6-19-99: Superman #43 The New Kids in Town
Batman #107 Chemistry
B-BEYOND #09 Spellbound
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 BTAS, as well as both animated movies. BTAS airs Monday-Friday at 6pm (ET) and then repeated again at midnight. If our schedule listings is not complete or up to date then please go to TOONZONE for the complete episode schedule at:
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/schedules/batman-cn.html
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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
KNIGHT TIME
Written by: Robert Goodman
Directed by: Curt Geda
Animation by: Dong Yang
Original air date: October 10, 1998
My rating: ***
This episode begins with Roxy Rockett speeding through Metropolis whilst on her latest crime spree. Superman chases her and quickly captures her, and finds out that she isn’t in Gotham simply because it’s overrun with crooks, now that Batman is away.
Curiouser, and curiouser.
In Gotham, Robin has been holding his own in Batman’s absense – he’s managing to thwart a lot of crime solo. Superman meets him, and they exchange words and then pair up, vowing to rid Gotham of crime.
At Wayne Enterprises, Superman (dressed in Batman’s costume at all times) and Robin discovers that tiny robotic microchip-thingees (nice description, eh?) are crawling all over Bruce Wayne’s office. After dealing with the team-up of Bane, Riddler, and Mad Hatter, they take the Mad Hatter into custody to examine the devices; he suggests they could be of an un-earthly maker. Hmmmm…
I won’t spoil the ending, except for the fact that Brainaic is behind it all, and, in fact, has been ever since Bruce teamed up with Lex Luthor for a brief period in “World’s Finest” from the previous season. I originally thought this episode would be terrible, because of the time restraints, but, in fact, it turned out OK.
It’s a switch, seeing Robin giving Superman orders on how to be like Batman, so his masquerade in the cape and cowl would be more convincing. I quite enjoyed it – the speech between Superman and Robin is quite funny and well-written.
Other great parts are when Super-bats demolishes the Iceburg Lounge to get info out of the Penguin, when he really kicks Bane’s arse (the suprise on Bane’s face is classic), and, of course, when Brainiac refers to “Batman’s followers on the internet”.
The only really bad part was that Riddler had no reason to be in this episode – he got to say one sentence, and had only about one minute of screen time. It’s better than his appearance in “Over the Edge”, and it re-assures us that John Glover is still doing his voice, but I still felt cheated at the end – he didn’t even say a single corny riddle!
This episode also marks Roddy McDowall’s final contribution to either BTAS/STAS – in fact, it’s the last piece of new work of his that will ever be shown – it’s kind of humbling to think of it that way.
In short, it’s an episode that’s just for laughs, just a good ride, and just a lot of fun. Don’t expect any depth, just a bunch of cool gimmicks and some witty dialogue. It doesn’t live up to the original “World’s Finest” adventure, but it’s still a lot of fun.
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EDITORAL #1
(by Laura Hysert, aka “Phoenix”)
DCX…where fans give the DC Universe new life…where stories offer fresh perspectives on your favorite heroes…where Gotham still stands, and Superman doesn’t build robots…
DCX…The universe you thought you knew.
**COMING JUNE 6, ONLY TO DCX (www.imagine-that.org/DCX/)
Disturbing dreams, an overstarched shirt, and three hundred sit-ups: the start of a typical day, if you’re Bruce Wayne. But when Two-Face escapes from Arkham Asylum, Bruce must hunt down his old friend. And suddenly, Bruce’s ordinary day begins turning horribly wrong… Spend a day in the life of Batman in part one of “24,” the premiere issue of BATMAN: SHADOWS OF TWILIGHT, a monthly series written by Laura Hysert
DCX: Is that a Batarang in your pocket, or are you just happy to see us?
A simple necklace theft turns into big money for Selina Kyle. Prowling the streets as Catwoman, Selina turns on the charm – and lands more than a few baubles and trinkets. Read all about it in “A Simple Plan,” issue one of CATWOMAN: NIGHT MOVES, a monthly series written by longtime Catwoman fan Susan Bridges.
DCX: Scratching behind the ears will make us purr.
Patrolling the streets one Saturday night, Nightwing stops what seems to be a routine assault. But this is Bludhaven, where nothing is ever as it seems, and the only routine is the unexpected. Suddenly he’s tangling with an overzealous reporter and a freakish new gang, whose leader won’t rest until he crushes Bludhaven – and its protector – under his heel. Come face to
face with a demagogue in “Misfits Part 1: Saturday Night Fever,” the first issue of NIGHTWING: BLUDHAVEN NIGHTS, written by John Westcott.
DCX: We’ve got chills…they’re multiplyin’…Yes, yes. Wrong Travolta movie. We know.
*And don’t forget to read DCX’s other exciting titles, including IMPULSE: QUICKER THAN THOUGHT, WILDCAT: TWO-FISTED JUSTICE, SUPERBOY: THE ETERNAL WONDER, and many more!
**COMING JUNE 20, ONLY TO DCX (www.imagine-that.org/DCX/)
*A batch of new titles DEBUT at DCX, including:
He may have accepted the fact that he’s not Batman, but Jean-Paul Valley’s troubles in Gotham City aren’t over yet. Just as he’s sliding back into Azrael’s mantle, beginning his purification of Gotham’s streets, he stumbles upon a truck loaded with women, driving into the night…Azrael’s hunt for answers to this mystery begins in part one of “Harvest,” the premiere issue of AZRAEL: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE, a monthly series by John R. Stephens.
DCX: We’re not Batman, either. No, really.
Gotham’s homeless are vanishing from the streets – but only Barbara Gordon knows the staggering number who have gone missing. And when neither Black Canary nor Robin find clues to these disappearances, it’s up to Oracle herself to find the key that unlocks this mystery. Hunt for the “Missing” in the debut issue of ORACLE: HIDDEN VOICE, a monthly series written by Laura
Hysert.
DCX: Oracle is watching, and frankly, it’s making us a little nervous.
**Also on JUNE 20, catch these continuing sagas:
In a run-down hovel deep in Gotham’s slums, an old man buries his face in a newspaper and cries. He has a story to tell…if only he could. About the man who’s going to make Arkham’s walls run with the blood of his crazed competitors: the Joker. And this time, Batman may be too late to stop his nemesis’ murderous plans. John Hardin has a story to tell, too: the second
part of “Best Served Cold,” this month in BATMAN: DARK KNIGHT #2.
DCX: Boy, do we have stories to tell. And we’re not joking.
The death of a janitor sparks the search for escaped criminal Arthur Brown. The Cluemaster’s on the hunt for someone, and he’s killing everyone who gets in his way. Meanwhile, Stephanie and Tim meet in the school principal’s office – not knowing each other’s secret identities as Spoiler and Robin. Could this be start of a beautiful friendship? Find out in “Daddy Dearest,”
Issue #2 of ROBIN: FLY BY KNIGHT by Brian Bedard.
DCX: Love is the air. Get a gas mask.
A bank robbery, an old woman in peril, and a mugging? Jen and Karen don’t believe in slow starts, that’s for sure! Bat-Girl makes the Gotham Globe, but will she shy away from her certain stardom? And where’s Batman when you need him? “Dark” continues the “First Night” adventures of these two new vigilantes! Read about their exciting exploits in issue #2 of BATGIRL: DARK KNIGHT DAMSEL, written by Brendan Crowther.
DCX: No damsels in distress here.
**And, of course, you can read about your other favorite DC characters, too…like Superman, Green Lantern, Sandman and more, only at DCX.
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EDITORIAL #2
(by Michael Mandeville)
batboym@wtp.net
DEAD OR HIBERNATING?
Is Metallo dead, or just hibernating?
Are they going to have a follow-up to ‘Action Figures’ or are they just going to leave us hanging at ‘Superman’s Pal’? I mean, each Metallo episode has had a cool ending, and then leading into the next episode later (Like from ‘Action Figures’ to ‘Heavy Metal’). But ‘Superman’s Pal’ ends with Metallo smashed under a bus. Is there going to be a follow-up in ‘Legacy’?
Speaking of ‘Legacy Parts 1&2’:
First off, that is a really cool name for a Darkseid episode…the LAST episode. All of the Darksied episodes have followed a line too: Slowly reveal that Darkseid is behind Intergang. Darksied is the very model of evil as he kills Manheim in ‘Apokolips…Now!-Part 1’ after imprisoning him in ‘Father’s Day’. One thing that would add to his evil is that, in ‘Legacy’, he kills his “half son”. I would also like to see a return of the ‘New Gods’. Darksied’s voice is remarkably alike to Darth Vader’s voice in Star Wars; just add the weird breathing problem Vader has when Darksied is speaking on TV.
Nightwing and Tim Drake:
We’d better se what happens to them in Batman Beyond’s second season (in which I hope they don’t change the title). We’ve already seen some of the past: we know that Bane is helpless, that Freeze is dead (or is he?), that Bruce and Barbara dated, and that Bruce had a cool Batman suit locked away. But I know what happened to some other villains, too:
-Poison Ivy mutated into a half-plant, half-human lifeform and lives in an African rainforest.
-Harley Quinn became president or something.
-The Riddler and The Mad Hatter run a clothing store in Gotham.
-Two-Face finally cleaned up his act and works as a lawyer for a major motion movie company in Hollywood.
And that’s about all I know (literally).
Inque Died to Quickly:
But her creation (the guy who is a living blob now) MIGHT become dangerous (hope!).
Is Blight Dead, or just hibernating?
Hibernating.
Well that’s all, but here’s the last word that has nothing to do with Batman:
A LITTLE BIT OF TRIVIA:
Q: What is the HARDEST language in the world today to understand?
A: It is, (And I mean no offence by this) American Teenage Girls.
But as a fifteen year old girl friend of mine added (and this is a direct quote): “We may talk weird, but you talk way to much.”
Very funny Dani.
Batboy [Beyond]
batboym@wtp.net
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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 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.
At the moment I’m sitting here watching the “#1 and #2 Hit Weekend” on MUCHMUSIC – Canada’s version of MTV (which is far superior to MTV, by the way). Anyhow, it just struck me…do a trivia section all based on facts relating to the numbers one and two! You’ll see what I mean as you go on…
136. When we see Poison Ivy (in costume OR not) for the first time on BTAS, where is she?
A: THE ROSE CAFE
B: HER GREENHOUSE
C: A FIELD
D: ARKHAM ASYLUM
E: IN THE SHOWER WITH A CERTAIN CLOWN-GAL
137. Who wrote the episode in which the Clock King makes his SECOND appearance?
A: Alan Burnett
B: Paul Dini
C: Michael Reaves
D: Ty Templeton
E: Hilary J. Bader
138. If you watched every BTAS episode/movie as soon as they were released, who would you hear providing the SECOND voice of Batgirl?
A: Tara Charendoff
B: Melissa Gilbert
C: Alicia Silverstone
D: Mary Kay Bergman
E: Yvonne Craig
139. According to original air date, which was the SECOND villain to appear on BTAS that also appeared in the 60’s series?
A: THE JOKER
B: THE PENGUIN
C: CATWOMAN
D: THE RIDDLER
E: MR. FREEZE
140. “Now I’ve got you, you lousy, stinkin’….” Who are the TWO people on BTAS who say this exact quote at some time?
Answer: ____________
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ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA
Answer to #136: C
Answer to #137: A
Answer to #138: A
Answer to #139: E
Answer to #140: Tony Zucco, Chuckie Sol
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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:
-Alright, Timmy needs glasses OR he’s been in a vegetative state when it comes to looking for tiny facts and such since the last issue came out…
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(“X-Modem”)
1. In the BATMAN BEYOND episode “A Touch of Curare”, one of the officers protecting Barbara’s hubby on the train is named Sanchez. Could this, dare I say, be a futuristic relative of Rene Montoya?
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED FIGURES
(by Kevin Smith)
Oh_Ho77@hotmail.com
Mr. Smith was unable to submit an article for this issue of BTAN. But fear not, he will return shortly!
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COMIC REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)
BATMAN BEYOND
ISSUE: “Mummy, Oh! and Juliet” (#5)
WRITTEN BY: Hilary J. Bader
PENCILED BY: Joe Stanton
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: May ?, 1999 (Cover date is July)
RATING: *** (out of 5)
“It does not work. What evil totems do you possess?”
“Protective outerwear. Don’t leave home without it.”
–The mummy and Batman during a fight
SUMMARY: Terry’s class is at a museum when a kid touches a mummy. Suddenly the mummy comes to life and takes off after Terry’s girlfriend Dana. Batman “arrives” and begins fighting it, but looses what he believes to be a person in a mummy costume when the creature goes back into its sarcophagus. Later, a new student named Theo has been after Dana, but he runs away in agony when Terry arrives. Meanwhile, a kid who the mummy touched at the museum is dying from energy loss. Theo however touches another person draining their energy and the kid in the hospital is restored. Then, right as Terry gets a call from Bruce (and leaves Dana for a second) the mummy arrives and takes her away. Bruce and Terry figure out that the muumy is “Theo” and that his princess, Danethlytica, looks a lot like Dana. At the musuem, the mummy reveals to Dana that he is Theo. Batman arrives and explains to him that the real princess is there at the museum. They are soon reuinited and the musuem lets them stay together in a special exhibit.
COMMENTS: I thought the issue was well-executed and the art was much, much better than the last issue. I think Joe Stanton is getting the style very well.
CRITICISMS: One of the things I have always liked about the Batman shows is that they make implausible things seem concievable. However, this issue was completely far-fetched and wasn’t even carried out in a matter that let me use willing suspension of disbelief. Not only that,
but here is another issue with “Terry’s class goes on a field trip (and they’re in high school!) and the class is attacked by something so Terry changes into Batman and they fight.” That’s two in a row for this type of story. I’m getting a little bored with it.
BOTTOM LINE: The story is run-of-the-mill and the plot is totally
unbelievable.
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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. 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…a whopping $3.25 in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the “grrr”.)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #16
July 7th
Alfred’s been kidnapped! But why doesn’t Batman seem concerned? That’s the question on the minds of Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin, who can’t come to Alfred’s aid until they battle their way through hordes of heavily armed thugs.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/bga16.jpg
NEXT MONTH: –
Synopsis: Unavailable
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmga17.jpg
BATMAN BEYOND #5
June 16th
The return of Inque. She’s on a mission to steal top-secret data, but there’s more to her plan than meets the eye. Pieces of her body left behind at the scene exhibit strange behavior and could lead Batman to Inque or to his own death, or both.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bb/bb6.jpg
NEXT MONTH: None. A continuing BATMAN BEYOND series will start up this fall.
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #35
July 7th
The Toyman’s toys are pulling off a rash of crimes throughout Metropolis, but the Toyman insists he isn’t behind it. Now Superman must find out if there’s another mastermind at work, or if the Toyman’s just playing games to hatch a bigger, deadlier scheme.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/sa/sa35.jpg
NEXT MONTH:
Synopsis: Unavailable
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dsma36.jpg
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NEWS AND RUMORS
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-The Daytime Emmy Awards were handed out back on May 21. They were nominated for 5 awards…the episodes “Legends of the Dark Knight”, “Judgment Day”, and “Little Girl Lost (Pt. 1)” were all nominated for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION. The Batman/Superman series as a whole was also nominated for OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS – ANIMATED PROGRAM and OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING. In the end, BTAS/STAS got the SOUND MIXING emmy. Not the most prestigous, but hey, any award is quite impressive! With Batman and Superman combined, that means that since 1992, the series has won 6 Emmies and gotten 21 nominations in total. Way to go, WB!
-A BATMAN BEYOND soundtrack CD is in the making! Various artists will be contributing songs (and scores?) for this CD, due out August 17th, 1999.
-Do yourself a favor and check out BrainUK’s BATMAN ANIMATED UK Fan Club! The link is right here:
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/batmananimateduk
“CURRENT” ANIMATED SERIES’
-The STAS episodes LEGACY and DEMON REBORN have been left for next season. Great. Three more episodes to be scattered throughout the season. Perfect. Blech.
BATMAN BEYOND
-BATMAN BEYOND in CANADA!! (this news flash for Canadians only) Global TV has finally picked up Batman Beyond! Global kicked off Batman Beyond with seven back-to-back episodes on May 29th – expect Batman Beyond to return to its normal half hour format the following week. This is great news for all Canadian Batman Beyond fans who are going to suffer the lose of WGN next season. We have yet to see if BATMAN BEYOND will be played weekly, or if this was just a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
-BATMAN BEYOND joins the 10th Anniversary celebration of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS as a sponsor for youth’s magazine interactive road sports show. The show will appear in twenty cities across the country with BATMAN BEYOND making special appearances in Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburg, Boston, Seattle, and the New York/New Jersy area.
-In continueing in the Batman related interview theme, Critcal Eye has an interview with Storybard artist and BATMAN BEYOND Intro creator, a Super Canuck, Darwyn Cooke! The link is as follows:
http://www.cam.org/~emru/criticaleye/interviews/dcooke.html
ANIMATED COMICS
-Thank god, in the last issue we made a terrible mistake in believing a rumor that ‘Gotham Adventures’ and ‘Superman Adventures’ would be combined to a single comic book with stories alternating between each hero from month to month. Terry Beatty has informed us that he has spoken with Darren Vincenzo about this rumor – and he says that Vincenzo has heard of no such plan, and that the books have held steady at about the same numberss for some time now. With all the foreign reprints, etc., there’d be no good reason to step back production. Let us all have a sigh of relief.
-Man-Bat FINALLY re-appears in of “Batman: Gotham Adventures”.
OTHER COMICS
-Last week we stated Batman: Dark Victory #0 would be polybagged with Wizard #95, but that has changed. Dark Victory #0 will now be released with Wizard #97, which is slated for a September or October release. Sorry about the mistake
-For more, see the “Road Through No Man’s Land” section below.
MOVIES
-Drew Carey has showed interest in playing the Ventriloquist/Scarface. *SIGH* OK, fine, it’s not true, but we haven’t had any news in this section for a while, so I had to start SOMETHING up here!
TOYS & MERCHANDISE
-The Playstation version of the SUPERMAN video game has a tentative release date of September 16, 1999. Thanks to THX1138 for submitting this info!
-Check out “Two-Face’s Trading Post” if you’re interested in purchasing figures…lists provided below.
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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 that celebrates it, 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…
JANUARY – APRIL: For synopses of what happened in the first four months of NO MAN’S LAND, go see Issues #26 and #27 of “Batman: The Animated Newsletter”. Follow this link: http://www.toonzone.net/wbc/btan
MAY: The first major turf war has begun in part one of “Claim Jumping”. Two-Face and the Penguin make arrangements to take out both Batman and the GCPD, respectively. Meanwhile, Two-Face frees a mentally two-faced assassin named Isabella Cheranova from Blackgate prison – but why? An up-to-date map of Gotham is also featured: Batman now rules a HUGE chunk of town, and it looks like Zsasz and Croc have expanded their territories as well. It also looks like the Scarecrow and Mad Hatter HAVE been defeated and locked up in Blackgate permanently.
The “Claim Jumping” turf war ends with Two-Face being triumphant. He doublecrosses the Penguin; Cobblepot loses half his territory. Then Two-Face trounces the B-man and takes over his entire territory in the four hours during which Echo holds him hostage. Echo is now free in Gotham.
A “No Man’s Land” gallery issue was also released, featuring 22 illustrations of the Bat-cast in their NML settings. Pretty much all major players are depicted at least once in this issue.
Next, a new assassin named “Cain” wreaks havoc in Gotham. Batman confronts Batgirl about letting Two-Face take his territory, and then confronts Two-Face himself – but let’s him off the hook for the time being. Cain is eventually defeated; it is revealed that Tally-Man is another man working for Two-Face; Tally-Man was the one that “killed” Black Mask in March.
And finally, in BATMAN CHRONICLES #17, stories featuring Francine Langstrom becoming the Man-Bat, Gotham’s only remaining cable access TV show, and a man who tries to strike a deal with Two-Face, claiming to know Batman’s true identity.
JUNE: Batman assembles Robin, Nightwing, Azrael, Oracle, and the NEWER Batgirl (#3) together, before they set off to reclaim Gotham from the totalitarian supervillains and their warring gangs. Batman and Commissioner Gordon FINALLY meet, and it’s clearly revealed that Gordon and Two-Face HAVE been working together (even though Gordon didn’t like the idea); Batgirl #2’s identity is revealed…but since this comic just came out, I won’t spoil it because many probably haven’t picked it up yet. I’ll reveal her (or his?) identity next issue.
That’s 25 issues of NML so far. For a complete list, e-mail us.
WHAT’S TO COME…
-Batman and Robin battle Clayface for the life of Poison Ivy in “Fruit of the Earth” (3 parts). Nightwing goes to Blackgate prison to free it from Lock-Up’s control. And don’t forget “Batman: Bullock’s Law”!
-July: Batman and Mr. Freeze battle in the heat of the summer at the power plant, determining who controls Chinatown. He then goes on to fight Killer Croc. Bane resurfaces, and Nightwing has a little tussle with Lock-Up. Robin fights off the Ratcatcher and Spoiler’s identity is revealed to her mother.
-August: The month begins with Batman trying to save the children of NML from a gang known as “Lynx”. Then, things start to really shake up when Harley Quinn finally makes her debut in the mainstream, with the Joker and Poison Ivy coming along for the ride. Meanwhile, Azrael and Batgirl continue to try to make a dent in Nicholas Scratch’s operations. Nightwing is trapped in Blackgate, and Robin is still out searching for food.
-See below for more.
AS FOR THE OTHER HEROES:
-Robin’s first duty is to aid Batman in saving Poison Ivy from Clayface.
-Nightwing is ordered by Batman to take control of Blackgate Prison after returning to Gotham in July; Lock-Up is unhappy with this, obviously. All this in Nightwing #35.
-Batman sends Robin out to get emergency food rations BUT is confronted by the Ratcatcher in the process in Robin #68. Also, Spoiler’s mother finds out her true identity.
-Azrael and Batgirl team up to take down Nicholas Scratch, in a giant comic also featuring Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Joker, Penguin, and Two-Face. This is all in Azrael #56 and #57.
-A one-shot focussing on how Harvey Bullock is handling No Man’s Land is also due out; Black Mask appears.
-The Huntress takes on the Joker and Harley Quinn in August.
-Leslie Thompkins is the focus of BATMAN CHRONICLES #18, in August.
-Superman will return to Gotham in SHADOW OF THE BAT #92, in October.
AND AS FOR THE REMAINING VILLAINS…
-Two-Face is confronted by the Bat-team in LOTDK #120, in response to his holocaustic triumph over Batman in “Claim Jumping”.
-The Ratcatcher confronts Robin and Nightwing as they try to break back into Gotham.
-Poison Ivy has sought refuge in the Robinson Park and turned it into a Garden-of-Eden paradise. But then Clayface appears and turns this Eden into a Hell for Ivy.
-Black Mask and “The Widow Wacker” confront Bullock in a special one-shot due out in June.
-The one-shot comic featuring Harley Quinn’s intro to the mainstream Bat-universe will also come out this June (I think?).
-Catwoman returns to Gotham in Catwoman #72, this July.
-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? Freeze also controls Chinatown. (LOTDK #121)
-Killer Croc is confronted by Batman in Shadow of the Bat #89 in July.
-Bane tries to gain control of the city – again – but has to break in from the outside – across the river filled with land mines. Batgirl also has a significant role. This is in Detective Comics #736, in July.
-Lock-Up is in trouble when Nightwing tries to take over control of Blackgate Prison in July!
-The Joker doesn’t appear as a major player until close to the end, along with the new, improved Harley Quinn – whom will appear with the Joker AND Poison Ivy in August. (BATMAN: Harley Quinn, Batman #570, DC #737). Also, it looks like Ms. Quinn will going up against the Huntress.
-Killer Croc and Mr. Zsasz re-appear in BATMAN CHRONICLES #18 in August.
-Two-Face re-appears in another big way later on in No Man’s Land, apparently as the second-last villain to be defeated. (How fitting.)
-Ra’s Al Ghul, meanwhile, is in Washington D.C. battling Anarky in his new ongoing series.
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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!
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. JOKERZ LEADER. Mail editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton if you are interested in the Jokerz Leader figure from the new “Batman Beyond” line, in a near-mint package. Pic available. E-mail: juno@direct.ca
2. KILLER CROC. Editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton has a spare Killer Croc figure lying around, in a mint package. Pic available. E-mail juno@direct.ca if interested.
3. THE MAD HATTER. Yup! Editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton has one spare BTAS “Mad Hatter” figure (in a mint-condition package) 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. Pic available. If interested, e-mail: juno@direct.ca
4. SUPERGIRL. Yep! If you want one of these, e-mail editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton, and he should be able to find one for you, in a mint or near-mint package! e-mail: juno@direct.ca
5. TNBA EASTER EGG. From England. An approx. 5″X8″ box with great artwork all the way around. Contains a large red-foil wrapped chocolate Easter egg (good until 7-99) and some gum-drop-like candies. Cost is $25.00 per egg which includes shipping and insurance within the US. Email for scanned pic, or if interested: keatking@icehouse.net
6. HUGE Batman collection for sale includes animated, movie, and comics related Bat-items – so huge, we can’t list all the items here! There are movie scripts, action figures, archive books, and more. Collection is being sold as a lot for $430.00 and cannot be broken up. For full list, e-Mail Dani at Peterpan@ma.ultranet.com
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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… Some have submitted phone numbers for Hasbro, but they only work for those in the USA, and not Canadians such as myself…can anyone help? E-mail: juno@direct.ca
2. COMBAT BELT BATMAN, and BTAS BATMOBILE. If you know where to find these figures – or a BTAS Batwing (I’m pretty sure one was made) e-mail this address: cnwitkow@concentric.net
3. BATMAN/NIGHTWING TWO-PACK. Personally, I don’t know if such a thing even exists, but I could very easily be proven wrong. If anyone can find this two-pack, e-mail one of your fellow subscribers at this address: jokerz84@hotmail.com
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FEATURED BAT-SITES FOR THIS ISSUE
Uhhhh…nothing struck our fancy since last issue…yeah, that’s it…*SHUFFLES FEET*
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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
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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
KID’S WB
http://www.kidswb.com
DC COMICS
http://www.dccomics.com
TOON ZONE
http://www.toonzone.net
RAVING TOY MANIAC
http://www.toymania.com
VOICE CHASERS
http://www.voicechasers.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
THE DARK KNIGHT
http://www.darkknight.ca
ANIMANIA
http://hjem.get2net.dk/twt/home.htm
HARLEY’S HAVEN OF HEDONISM
http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/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
ANIMATED TALES
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dunes/2294/at
BATMAN BEYOND: WELCOME TO THE FUTURE
http://www.batmanbeyond.net
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@direct.ca
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. 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 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
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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@direct.ca and put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
For more information the newsletter just email juno@direct.ca
Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading! Tell your friends!
-Tim TWO-FACE Leighton and Dick Grayson, editors
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TO ALL GOOD THINGS…
…there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, jokes, reviews and other articles. We hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it! 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 #1: Laura Hysert
EDITORIAL #2: Michael Mandeville
COMIC REVIEWS: Aaron Maurer
TOY REVIEW: Kevin Smith
“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?)
Batman and all related indica are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 1999.
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