Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Week of June 21 – July 3/4, 1999
Volume 2,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language and occasional griping”
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “DONATE $$$ TO OUR NEWSLETTER OR WE WILL BE FORCED TO HOLD THE WORLD RANSOM FOR…*DRAMATIC MUSIC*…ONE MEEEEELION DOLLARS!”
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to another issue of “Batman: The Animated Newsletter”. Enjoy!
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SPECIAL NOTE
This issue of “Batman: The Animated Newsletter” is being delivered two days earlier than usual because editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton will be away for a period of time between now and when is due out, for July 5th. If at all possible, if any current subscribers have any queries or comments on the newsletter between now and then, (aside from problems with the delivery of the newsletter), mail those starting in July – you wouldn’t get a response prior to that date, anyway. Take care! See ya’ll in two weeks (plus two days)!
Other special note: As of TODAY, June 18, 1999, we have FINALLY HIT OUR 1000-SUBSCRIBER MARK! EEEEEEYAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!! *DANCE OF JOY*
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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.
‘ONCE BURNED’
Batman Beyond #14?
Air Date: 1999-2000 season
Ten returns to rekindle her love for Terry, and the Royal Flush Gang returns to once again kill Batman – but then again, is there more than meets the eye this time?
‘THE DEMON REBORN’
Superman #44?
Air date: Fall of 1999
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: Fall of 1999
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 6-21-99: Batman #66 Sideshow
Superman #36 Warrior Queen
Tue 6-22-99: Batman #69 Avatar
Superman #29 The Hand of Fate
Wed 6-23-99: Superman #24 Solar Power
Batman #87 Sins of the Father
Thu 6-24-99: Batman #98 Mean Seasons
Superman #34 Heavy Metal
Fri 6-25-99: Superman #14 Blasts from the Past (Pt. 1)
Superman #17 Blasts from the Past (Pt. 2)
Sat 6-26-99: Superman #26 Monkey Fun
Batman #102 Old Wounds
B-BEYOND #11 A Touch of Curare
NEXT WEEK:
Episode schedules for the week of June 28 to July 3 were unavailable at the delivery date of this newsletter. For current schedules, go to Brian Cruz’ site, mentioned above.
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
THE DEMON WITHIN
Story by Rusti Bjornhoel
Written by Stan Berkowitz
Directed by Atsuko Tanaka
Animation by TMS
Original air date: May 9, 1998
My rating: ***
Another episode with awesome animation but a story that severely lacks in several places.
This episode introduces a new hero to BTAS, Etrigan, more commonly known as the Demon. Centuries old, this demonic creature has fused himself deep inside a man named Jason Blood, which, in turn, keeps Blood from aging. Whenever Blood recites a verse, Etrigan is released and comes to life to do one’s bidding. To date, the Demon has only been used for the purposes of good – until…
The episode opens at an auction that Bruce Wayne and Tim Drake are attending. I long metal prod of sorts is being auctioned off, and a young, quite queer-looking boy bids on it – Blood, also in attending the auction, bids higher – the boy, named Klarion, bids again – Blood retalliates. The feud continues until Bruce Wayne steps up and bids a tremendously stupid amount – $1,000,000 – for the prod. Blood smiles – we soonafter learn that Bruce and Jason have known each other for a while now, but we never learn of their history together. Problem #1.
Next scene is at Blood’s quarters, where Tim sees a bust on a table – Blood tells us that it is the Demon’s mask and goes on to tell us what the Demon is all about. Unfortunately, I feel that he didn’t describe it thoroughly enough, and I was oftimes quite confused of the Demon’s motives and origins throughout the remainder of the episode.
Klarion the Witch-Boy arrives at Blood’s residence sets loose his cat, to snatch the prod – Blood sees this and calls upon the Demon to appear and fight Klarion and retrieve what is rightfully his. Klarion takes the prod and stabs Etrigan in the forehead with it – with the marking on his forehead, a large M, Etrigan becomes Klarion’s slave and bodyguard – though he doesn’t want to, he must. (This is why Bruce and Jason tried to keep the prod out of Klarion’s hands.)
That is what sets up the story of Klarion letting the Demon loose on Gotham, to destroy the city. Why? Just because he feels like it. He is going to create his own michievous fun at Gotham’s expense – and then Batman gets involved, while Jason and Tim try to control the Demon through the use of sorcery and witchcraft from Blood’s residence.
Good points: the animation in this episode is top-notch, and there is even a hint of CGI effects in all the magic and spell-casting used. The sound quality is very good, too. All the voices are done well, and I like the character designs of both the Demon and Klarion – who looks like a little hell-child, complete with horns in his black hair (he looks much like Professor Milo from “Cat Scratch Fever” and “Moon of the Wolf”, but Tim Drake’s height). Klarion’s motives for tearing up the town are elegant in their simplicity – he just wants to have fun. He’s a spoiled little brat and uses the Demon to do his bidding – tearing apart ice cream trucks for food and blowing up subways to reduce noise (notice the irony). The in-jokes like the spoofing of Arnold Schwarzenegger films and the name of the cake store, Kirby Cakes, Inc. (the Demon was created by the late Jack Kirby) are quite nice.
Bad points? With all the magic and action sequences, there is little time left for character development. At the end, we still feel we don’t know much about Jason Blood’s past. The sorcery used in this episode, while wonderful to look at, oftimes leaves me confused and hard to follow – simply because you don’t expect to see something this far-fetched in a Batman episode. The other major problem? It ended too quickly – but seeing Klarion locked up in his room sitting in the corner like a punished child (which he is) was a nice touch.
Batman and Tim summarize all my thoughts at the end of the episode:
TIM: “Uh, about what happened tonight…”
BATMAN: “Don’t ask. Just don’t ask.”
They’re just as confused as I.
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EDITORAL #1
(by Laura Hysert, aka “Phoenix”)
Ms. Hysert was unable to submit an editorial in time for delivery of this premature issue of “Batman: The Animated Newsletter”. I guess it’s my fault for delivering it early? Bad Timmy, bad…
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EDITORIAL #2
(by Michael Mandeville)
batboym@wtp.net
Again and again I turn to my favorite show series on Kids’ WB!, Batman Beyond and their toys. I’ve said enough on how much the variation toys suck and are basically a piece of crap unless you’re like a friend of mine who tortures his figures and throws them down into his “bottomless abyss” jail of his (Then they’re considered all-time convicts that deserve to face the ULTIMATE punishment: being cut up into pieces and THEN being thrown into the bottomless abyss. I have some sick friends). But, getting back to the REAL topic, I’m here to talk about the UPCOMING Batman Beyond toys (ACTION FIGURES). So, here are some of the upcoming toys:
Inque
It’s about time KENNER made her figure. I’m guessing she will have a pre-posed look that you can’t change (and probably come with an ultra-backpack and landskiff that let’s her hover over the land) and can’t stand up.
Golem w\ Willie Watt
This is unconfirmed. But if it does come out you can expect to see it in a box (like the EPISODE 1 Podracers and other vehicles are). I would also like to see these figures talk… Nahh.
Spellbinder
Only as a last resort (retort, remort, heck, I don’t care)
The Royal Flush Gang
King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Ace
Probably in different packages with their “nifty” flying hover-cards and super-powered jet packs (which never appeared in the show but KENNER will obviously create something of the like). Or maybe they’ll have neon suits and special lightning powers, what kid wouldn’t want one of those? Me.
Bruce Wayne
Yeah, right. “Get the Old-Man Bruce Wayne figure with cane and special shin-kicking action. Also comes with problematic ureba, loyal crime-fighting dog Ace, heart-attack pills, and bedpan accessory! Hunchback opens to reveal high-powered missile launcher and comes with special COMMTECH Chip that says, “Oh, my back! I think it just went out again!”! But, seriously, I wouldn’t mind a computer chip that says, “I was Batman.” that reacted with a Terry McGinniss chip that said, “Your Batman!”
Terry McGinnis quick change to Batman figure
Are we ever going to see a REAL McGuinniss figure? A NORMAL one? Or, how ’bout a normal Batman? Did anybody ever think of that? Kenner’s reaction: “Well, um… no.”
An now the moment we’ve all been waiting for: MORE BATMAN VARIATIONS! Yay!
One with Ace, the Wonder-dog, crimefighting Bathound.
One deluxe (that looks like Bruce’s old Bat-suit, the high-tech one from disappearing Inque’).
Millions others (That Kenner THINKS kids will like).
And one fighting Blight? (I’m not sure about this one, but I have heard rumors) this will probably an anti-radiation suit, IF they make one.
For the next Batman Beyond Season:
I really want to know what new villains there will be.
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.
Livin’ La Vida Loca. Damn you Ricky Martin – no matter where I look – or listen – there that annoying little funky song is, blaring loudly. As much as I despise it (not that I’m mocking those who DO like it), it inspired me to make the theme of this quiz focus on CRAZY people.
141. “You’re talkin’ kinda crazy!” Who says this in a BTAS episode at one point?
A: One of Joker’s goons
B: One of Two-Face’s goons
C: One of Riddler’s goons
D: Tony Zucco
E: Killer Croc
142. Which of the following CRAZY people have cried? Tears MUST be included to be eligible. Whimpering alone doesn’t count.
A: Mr. Freeze
B: Harley Quinn
C: The Mad Hatter
D: Two-Face
E: Poison Ivy
143. Which of the following CRAZY people have bled on BTAS?
A: The Joker
B: Harley Quinn
C: Catwoman
D: The Scarecrow
E: The Creeper
144. “I thought you were locked up in the squirrel farm and they threw away the key.” Who says that?
A: Harvey Bullock
B: Tony Zucco
C: Robin (in a dream sequence)
D: Boxy Benett
E: Either Jay, Lark, or Raven.
145. In which episode is Batman himself locked up in Arkham Asylum, wearing a strait-jacket?
A: LOCK-UP
B: DREAMS IN DARKNESS
C: PERCHANCE TO DREAM
D: TRIAL
E: TERROR IN THE SKY
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ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA
Answer to #141: C
Answer to #142: A, B, D, E
Answer to #143: A, B
Answer to #144: D
Answer to #145: B, D
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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:
1. Ever notice that in “Joker’s Millions”, Fake Harley is filing her nails THROUGH HER GLOVES?
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by “Grey Eyes”)
1. The nurse from “Shriek”, the female with glasses who Bruce tells to “get out!!!” looks EXACTLY like the Joker’s landlord from “Joker’s Millions”. The only difference is that she has grey hair in BATMAN BEYOND.
2. Did you know that Bruce W. Timm, Eric Radomski, Frank Paur , and Dick Sebast (all directors for various “old style” BTAS episodes) were directors to a foreign film called “Pom POm and Hot Hot” (1992)? Don’t believe me? Go to http://movies.excite.com/ and search with the title mentioned…then click on full cast list…there are other familiear names as well…it is an action movie from Hong Kong.
Here is the exact link – see for yourself!
http://movies.excite.com/movie/?movie_id=114109&zip=
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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: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #15
TITLE: “Cash ‘N The Hood!”
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILED BY: Tim Levins
INKED BY: Rob Leigh
ISSUED: June 2, 1999 (Cover date is July)
RATING: **** (out of 5)
NOTE: Mr. Maurer was unable to submit a review of this issue by the time of the delivery of this issue, so editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton has filled in for him. Expect Mr. Maurer to return in !
Finally, Bane has returned! This alone was enough reason to purchase this issue. Even though Bane has appeared in the animated universe a number of times now, in most of those appearances he never went up against Batman. In the episode “Over the Edge” he was just a figment of Batgirl’s imagination, and in “Knight Time”, it was actually Superman that he ran into, not the big, bad, B-man.
I loved this issue…while I miss Templeton, it looks like Peterson is a suitable replacement; I was worried that after Templeton left that the quality of the stories would diminish, but I’m happy to report that, thus far, nothing could be farther from the truth.
I loved the opening panels with Bane pulling a bank heist – no dialogue at all, just wonderfully-drawn action poses. I also enjoyed the panel in which Tim is brain-storming on the motives of Bane’s heists; and let’s not forget the three-way interrogation of one of Bane’s thugs on page 13…very cute.
The story itself? I don’t believe for a second that Bane is doing this Robin-Hood act for the sake of the children…knowing him, he’s just doing this to look good in the eyes of those people, so they’ll be on his side forever. My guess is that the citizens of the lower east-side will aid Bane in a future story – and of course, Bane’s just doing this for his own personal gain, whatever that may be in the future.
My favourite line from this story must be the “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” allusion at the end, where Bane says “Perhaps my heart grew two sizes one day – the heart is simply a muscle, no?” That just really struck me…it almost did convince me that Bane had, in fact, gone straight. But, after seeing the results of most villains trying to go straight in the past, I seriously doubt this will last long.
Terrific issue! I look forward for more of Peterson’s work in the future!
PS – Yay me! I’s got’s a letter printed in this issue! Happy happy joy joy! *DOES THE “DANCE OF JOY” FROM “PERFECT STRANGERS”* (Anyone remember that show? Alright, I’m rambling…)
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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 #1 (ongoing)
Uhhh…don’t know much about this…it’ll be out in September, though.
NEXT MONTH: Issue #2. That’s all we know.
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
-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.
-Paul Dini was listed in Entertainment Weekly’s ‘It List’ of 100 Most Creative People In Entertainment. Paul is listed as the ‘It Bat Revivalist’. Congrats! You deserve it! I wonder why Joel Schumacer didn’t get mentioned…
-The Don Thompson Awards were recently announced. Voted for by the members and visitors of the Compuserve Comics/Animation forum the results included:
*Favorite Animated TV Series: The New Batman/Superman Adventures
*Favorite Publisher: DC Comics
*Favorite Comic-Book Work for All Ages: Batman: Gotham Adventures
“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
-Look for the season premiere of BATMAN BEYOND to be on either Sept. 18th or 25th. Also look for the final three SUPERMAN episodes to begin on those dates as well. The dates may change, so stay tuned to this newsletter for future updates.
-Curare, Spellbinder, Shriek, the Jokerz, and the Royal Flush Gang are among the villains which will re-appear. The return of both Blight and Inque have been put on hold. There is no plan to revisit any of the present day Bat-villains at this point, either.
-On the hero front, more details on the past of Batman and Batgirl will be revealed. AND Superman will show up. Someone else is also going to learn the secrets of the Batcave…but who? My guess is either Ten or Dana.
-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 continuing 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
-It seems that WB has slipped a new BATMAN BEYOND website by me. The new BATMAN BEYOND website contains the usual plus a bio of characters and a chance to win a free copy of BATMAN BEYOND: The Movie.
http://www.batmanbeyondvideo.com
-ANOTHER UNIVERSE has two BATMAN BEYOND related interviews. One with
Paul Dini and the other with the writers of BATMAN BEYOND. Plus they
contain some juicy insight into next season and a possible plot behind
the first made-for-video BATMAN BEYOND movie. The links are as follows:
BATMAN BEYOND WRITERS INTERVIEW (featuring Berkowitz and Bader)
http://www.mania.com/comics/interviews/batmanbeyond.html
PAUL DINI INTERVIEW
http://www.mania.com/columns/animated/animated061899.html
ANIMATED COMICS
-Man-Bat FINALLY re-appears in of “Batman: Gotham Adventures”.
-Look for the yet untitled BATMAN BEYOND ongoing comic series to launch the same time the new season starts. This means it’ll most likely start in Late-August/Mid-September.
OTHER COMICS
-A prelude to “Batman: Dark Victory” (the follow-up to “The Long Halloween”) will be available in of WIZARD magazine…watch for it!
-For more, see the “Road Through No Man’s Land” section below.
MOVIES
-Regarding Batman AND Superman films, from THX1138:
Today, Moriarty and I set about calling about to various Warner contacts to see what is happening with SUPERMAN…the resounding answer to the story that came from Australia is, yes, it appeared in their papers, and yes, it is B.S.
However, something is going on. There will not be a SUPERMAN film. There will not be a BATMAN film. However, there are discussions of a BATMAN/SUPERMAN film going on in a very quiet way at Warners.
What we have been told is that this is very preliminary, but also on a fast track. We know it would pit Batman and Superman in an adversarial fashion, one of those ABSOLUTE GOOD vs MORAL AMBIGUITY sorts of things. We hear that the project has a cover name, but we were not told what this name was.
Is it a year 2000 project or a year 2001 project? Well, that would be dependent on how fast the alleged ‘fast’ track would be. But the idea is that this pairing would energize both franchises and possibly be a gateway to opening up both characters for a very interesting future.
This is not B.S. I put this out there simply to try and find out more. Is it a WORLD’S FINEST film? Is there a common foe? What’s happening? Is it in Metropolis or Gotham? Is there a story treatment or a script? I do not know. But I’m looking to find out – actually a whole bunch of us are. So heads up folks, something is in the pipeline – or so we hear.
-ALSO, it seems that a new script for BATMAN 5 has popped up, entitled “BATMAN: THE JOKER’S REVENGE” (cheesy title, huh?) The Joker is ressurrected from the dead, SOMEHOW; an unnamed villain who has also appeared in previous Bat-films (we have 7 others to choose from, right? My bet is either Catwoman, Riddler, or Two-Face) will appear, as well as Mr. Zsasz. The film is set on the eve of the Millenium.
-In light of the new Batman 5 news, the Batman/Superman movie idea may not go ahead – or vice versa. We’ll just have to wait and see.
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 Penguin and Two-Face make arrangements to expand their territories in Gotham; in the end, the Penguin gets shot, losing half his territory, and Two-Face trounces Batman, taking his entire chunk of land. Two-Face also releases a new villainess, named Echo, from Blackgate prison.
Next, a new assassin named “Cain” wreaked 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 is revealed to be none other than the Huntress.
In “Fruit of the Earth”, Clayface has taken over Ivy’s territory – the park – and holds her captive. We also learn that Ivy has been providing food for the Penguin, making his desire to have a stranglehold on Gotham’s black market a lot more easy. Batman and Robin enter the park, breaking into a “Batcave” held deep under the park, to save Ivy and defeat Clayface. In another part of the story, all the Blue Boys (save for Bullock and Montoya) have abandonned Commissioner Gordon.
That’s 27 issues of NML so far. For a complete list, e-mail us.
WHAT’S TO COME…
-June: The finale of “Fruit of the Earth” and a special one-shot featuring Bullock, Batman, and Black Mask.
-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:
-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 Mr. Freeze and 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…
-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.
-The Ratcatcher confronts Robin and Nightwing as they try to break back into Gotham.
-Black Mask and “The Widow Wacker” confront Bullock in a special one-shot due out this week.
-Catwoman returns to Gotham in Catwoman #72, this July.
-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!
-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) Freeze will also appear in Robin #70, in September.
-The one-shot comic featuring Harley Quinn’s intro to the mainstream Bat-universe will come out in August.
-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!
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
WELCOME TO…
I thought I’d tell you about two great sites. One new, and the other new – well to me, anyways. These two sites deserve a lot of attention simply becuase of the work and effort put into them. So without furthur ado, here are breif synopses of both sites:
DCU ANIMATED
http://welcome.to/the_dcu
This site takes a look at the entire DCU as if it were a part of the “animated” universe. We get to see all of our favourite characters in the beautiful animated form. We finally get to see what a potential JLA animated series would look like. We get to see more of the animated Metropolis. There are just tonnes and tonnes of animated version of DCU’s favorite super-teams and heroes. Plus, there is also a MARVEL section in which we see some MARVEL characters in animated form. This entire site is extrememly well done. There’s also a schedule page, an upcoming comics page, a fanart page, and more. I recommend this site to any ANIMATED or DCU fan!
BATMAN & SUPERMAN:THE WORLD’S FINEST DISCUSSION CENTER
http://welcome.to/worldsfinest
This site has links to everything! Message Boards? Got links to three of ’em! (BATMAN, SUPERMAN, & BATMAN BEYOND). Want a place to chat? Well check out the link to THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN CHAT ROOM. Wanna check out a BATMAN/BATMAN BEYOND episode guide full of screen shots? We got yer link right here to BATMAN: THE ANIMATED HOMEPAGE! Or just wanna catch up on
old BTAN newsletter issues, and news? Well we have a link to BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES as well. This site contains almost all a fan would want! Message board, chat room, news, episodes guide, and more! This site amazing design was done by ROBIN III who did an
outstanding job! I recommend this site to any animated fan!
UNOFFICIAL BATMAN ANIMATED FAN-CLUB
The club will consist of a fanzine – ‘a fan made magazine’ with news, reviews, artwork and basically all that we can stuff in related to Batman, Batman Beyond and Bruce Timm’s amazing artwork. The club is non-profit making (ie – you only pay for paper and ink costs) based in
the UK but people from around the world are welcome, too. If you would like more information please send your name, address, phone number and e-mail to
brian@batmanuk.freeserve.co.uk
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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
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*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
BATMAN BEYOND: WELCOME TO THE FUTURE
http://www.batmanbeyond.net
DCU ANIMATED
http://welcome.to/the_dcu
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 & SUPERMAN:THE WORLD’S FINEST DISCUSSION CENTER
http://welcome.to/worldsfinest
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 TOON ZONE 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:
TOON ZONE’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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