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Batman The Animated Newsletter #65

Batman The Animated Newsletter #65

Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of May 8 – May 13/14, 2000
Volume 3,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language and occasional griping”

THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “OOPS…I DID IT AGAIN…THE NEWSLETTER’S LATE THIS WEEK.”
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COMING SOON

In of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER, we will be featuring an interview between Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton and GOTHAM ADVENTURES/BATMAN BEYOND penciller CRAIG ROUSSEAU! See you there!
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EAGERLY ANTICIPATING…
New episodes are on the horizon! Here’s what we can expect in the near future…

‘PAYBACK’
Batman Beyond #36
Air date: May 20, 2000
Synopsis: A new vigilante, who calls himself Payback, begins taking revenge on the tormentors of troubled teenagers.
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WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Brian Cruz and/or the official BTAS/STAS site)

THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES air Mondays thru Saturday; BATMAN BEYOND also airs on these days. Check local listings each day for what show is on at what time.

http://www.batman-superman.com/batman/cmp/episodes.html
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/schedules/
http://www.ktla.com/backstage/programming/kids_framed.frm

NOTE:
If our schedule is not updated, then go to the following URL. It will ALWAYS contain the most up-to-date schedule possible.
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Taping/2928/airdate.htm

THIS WEEK:
Mon 05-08-00: Superman #07 Feeding Time
Batman #77 The Lion and the Unicorn

Tue 05-09-00: Batman #88 Cold Comfort
Superman #12 Tools of the Trade

Wed 05-10-00: Superman #10 My Girl
Batman #98 Mean Seasons

Thu 05-11-00: Superman #33 Apokalips…Now! (Pt. 1)
Superman #35 Apokalips…Now! (Pt. 2)

Fri 05-12-00: Batman #79 Riddler’s Reform
Batman #107 Chemistry

Sat 05-13-00: B-BEYOND #36 Payback
B-BEYOND #02 Sneak Peak

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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CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN, SUPERMAN, and BEYOND on YTV)
(courtesy of our friends at YTV)

-To find the episode guide and airing schedule of BATMAN and BATMAN BEYOND on YTV then please go to http://www.ytv.com and click on the YTV GUIDE icon at the bottom of the screen. To check out the schedule then click on BATMAN or BATMAN BEYOND in the time grid and it will have the schedule for the current week.

BTAS will air at Noon on weekdays (in all time zones), and BATMAN BEYOND will air at 2:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. YTV has the rights to show all 109 BTAS episodes. They also have the rights to air the first 26 episodes of BATMAN BEYOND (all of season 1 and the first half of season 2).

YTV will be making some schedule alterations very soon. Thanx to WF’s official newsman Mr. Eye, we were able to get a hold of some of them! And here they are…

THIS WEEK:
Mon 05-08-00: BTAS #67 A Bullet for Bullock

Tue 05-09-00: BTAS #68 Trial

Wed 05-10-00: BTAS #69 Avatar

Thu 05-11-00: BTAS #70 House and Garden

Fri 05-12-00: BTAS #71 The Terrible Trio

Sat 05-13-00: BEYOND #01 Rebirth (Pt. 1)

Sun 05-14-00: BEYOND #02 Rebirth (Pt. 2)
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R.I.P. CARTOON NETWORK WB ANIMATION SCHEDULE?

As of March 27, 2000, Batman: The Animated Series was taken off of the Cartoon Network. Now, coupled with the absence of Batman/Superman on KidsWB next season, it would appear to be virtually impossible to view these episodes.

However, the Cartoon Network has announced that Batman will return in June, possibly in a new format (ie: as The New Batman/Superman Adventures). We’ll provide more informaiton as it becomes available.
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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 creative “team” for this column alternates between Zanna and Justin Chen, two loyal subscribers and great friends of ours here. Any other reviews printed here are written by editor Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton. Enjoy!

THE SENTRIES OF THE LAST COSMOS
Written by John Shirley and Rich Fogel
Directed by Dan Riba
Animation by Koko Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Dong
Yang Animation Co., Ltd.
Original airdate: May 6, 2000
My rating: *** (Out of five stars)

Terry, Max, and friend Corey Cavalieri are playing the VR video game, Sentries of the Last Cosmos. The trio is under enemy fire and though Terry and Max are unable to break free from the assault, Corey not only escapes but also destroys the enemy single-handedly. The game ends and Corey is listed as the all time high scorer. Corey is obviously a major fan/player of the game with countless hours spent playing it. Unobserved by the three friends, someone dressed and equipped with a flying disc like a Sentry of the Last Cosmos is watching and taking a picture of them. Later, at Hamilton Hill High School’s computer lab, Corey receives an email from the creator of the Sentries game and is invited to Sentrycroft. Corey is thrilled and Max learns that Sentrycroft is the very private, secluded, estate of Simon Harper.

Corey is admitted to the estate by a robot camera at the front gate. He joins two other game champs and major fans and is amazed at the full size game paraphernalia on display inside. They meet with Simon Harper who explains that he monitors all the games by computer and has selected them because they are the three highest scorers of the game. He invites them to join the next level. Harper explains that the game is really a simulation of a real conflict occurring out in deep space and that for many years the Wise Ones have used the game to recruit capable sentries for the real battle. All three gamesters enthusiastically join the Sentries.

Later, the Batman of this future Gotham is investigating a break-in at the Hall of Records when he discovers three Sentries of the Lost Cosmos about to destroy a large data bank. Though he manages to disarm two of them, the Sentries complete their mission and a large part of the Hall of Records explodes. Batman must then discover the secret of the Sentries and stop them from any future mischief.

I enjoyed this episode. Like a few recent episodes, this too did not have a very dark theme, dramatic crime action, nor did it add to any new information about Bruce or Terry’s training. It did however show a bit of Terry acting like a normal teenager — enjoying some video games with his friends. The episode also displayed several representations of computer game, sci-fi movie (and gasp, comic book and cartoon super hero) die-hard fans. Writers John Shirley and Rich Fogel also placed many references to both the Star Wars movies and its creator, George Lucas. In addition, this story had a plot device very similar to one that was used in the movie, “The Last Starfighter”. Fans of those movies could easily point out the many references in this episode.

References to George Lucas and Star Wars stories included helmeted fighters looking like stormtroopers and Darth Vader, fire swords instead of light sabers, the enemy, the Dark Regent in place of the Dark Lord and the Emperor.

Other references were Sentrycroft, which looked like a futuristic Skywalker Ranch (see <http://george.lucas.net/prologue.htm> for actual Ranch pictures and information) and Eldon Michaels, the game writer, who had a red-haired, grossly overweight George Lucas look about him. Eldon Michaels and the villain were former associates, like Obi Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader (okay, that’s a bit of a reach, 😉 ). The ending fight scene has the villain dressed in a dark hooded robe, seated on a futuristic throne; in front of a large circular window showing the starlit sky. The hooded villain throws blue electrical energy at Batman, much like the Emperor threw at Luke in the “Return of the Jedi” movie. Even the background music resembled the Star Wars movie themes.

The dialogue, too, had a Star Wars theme in it. When Max asks Terry if there is a connection between Corey visiting Sentrycroft and the break-in at the Hall of Records, Terry asks if Jar-Jar is lame. The writer of the Sentries of the Last Cosmos tells the Sentries to seek the center, which sounded very like seeking the force. When the fans question Eldon Michaels about various parts of the story, he tells them “It all started a long, long time ago, in a cosmos far from earth…”

The plot device used in the movie “The Last Starfighter” was that an alien military force created a video game to seek out individuals with the reflexes, piloting and fighting capabilities that would be required of an elite member of the Starfighter force. These individuals were then contacted and persuaded to join the galactic militia. Sound familiar? For those interested and cable connected, the TNT channel will be airing “The Last Starfighter” on Saturday according to Yahoo TV li stings for the Baltimore Comcast cable area. Perhaps other areas will receive the signal too.

Besides the many movie references, there were some other good lines in this story. When Batman arrives at the Hall of Records and finds a large cavity in the roof, he deadpans the following comment, ” A big, smoking hole, could be a clue.” When Bruce fails to get any more information on Eldon Michaels besides an old address, Terry says, “Maybe he really is from outer space.” Batman points to a mysterious object and asks Michaels if it is a word processor. Michaels angrily answers that it is a typewriter owned by Philip K. Dick, the greatest writer that ever lived. After the ending fight scene, when Bruce and Terry are discussing the recent adventure, Terry asks why the villain would behave that way when he was already rich. Bruce responds “it isn’t easy to give up being a god.” Terry responds, “I guess you’d know.”

The “is Jar-Jar lame?” line that Terry uses sounds a bit dated for a futuristic setting unless you assume that the Star Wars movies themselves become classic icons as some memorable movies do and that the dialogue or characters become part of the real common language. Everyone is familiar with references like “There’s no place like home” or ” This could be the start of a beautiful friendship” or “You need to be kissed, and often, by someone who knows how” or “We’re on a mission from God” or “Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?” or many others.

When Batman asks Eldon Michaels if he is a writer and Michaels answers, “Well, duh”, made me wonder if that expression would still be used in the future. Then again, the word cool has survived many years with the same meaning.

So this wasn’t the dark, gritty story some fans prefer, but it was an interesting look at fan mania, Star Wars, and the Last Star Fighter.

Reviewed by Zanna
(Zanna_Z@NOSPAMyahoo.com remove NOSPAM to email)
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SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE
(by special guest-interviewer LadyWayne)

Even though I’m a long-time fan of Batman in all his many guises, it’s only very recently that I started surrounding myself (engulfing myself would be a better way of putting it) with every kind of Batman collectible you can name. Statues, collector plates, original artwork and books/comics galore.

One of my favorite things to collect is original art. Some of the names are quiet familiar to most of us: Alex Ross, Kelley Jones, George Perez, Neal Adams, Bruce Timm, Michael Zeck and Scott Hampton to name but a few. But there are a handful of up-and-coming artists who bear watching. One such person is Loston Wallace, a member of that much-envied group of people we call Batman artists.

(Lady Wayne bows respectfully and grins.)

I was lucky enough to pick up one of Loston’s original drawings that appeared in a Batman colouring book entitled “Deep Freeze.” Following the Bruce Timm-animated style of drawing, Loston and fellow artist, John Trumbull, rendered page after page of totally cool images. Truth be known, I’d never given much thought to how colouring books were drawn and produced – though I had more than my fair share of them as a kid). Imagine my surprise and delight to find that actual artists’ pages were available for sale! I snapped up a wonderful picture (pencilled by Loston, of course) that depicts Bruce preparing to make the transition from bachelor billionaire, Bruce Wayne, to the serious and imposing Dark Knight. And Alfred, ever the obedient servant, is shown standing sentinel in the background holding Bruce’s cape and cowl. After receiving this purchased piece, I contacted Loston, and we traded a few emails. Our conversations regarding the art and mythos of Batman resulted in this interview! Let’s find out more about Loston’s work in the realm of the Batman!

(LADY WAYNE) First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking time to share your experiences with us, Loston. I, and a great many subscribers to Batman: The Animated Newsletter, will be excited to hear how you got into this line of work.

(LADY WAYNE): What kind of background do you have in art/illustration?

(LOSTON WALLACE): I’ve been drawing Batman since I was four. He was my first and favourite hero. I still own the 1974 issue drawn by Mike Grell – my first comic! I’ve always been an artfan, and it seemed I was drawing everything. Hong Kong Fooey, Speedbuggy, and yes, Batman. When I got to be a teen, I was still collecting comics, and continued applying my artist skills to roleplaying characters (for myself and my friends).

I tried to find an art course in college, but they didn’t have anything worthwhile in the area I lived (which, by the way was in a small coalfield town in southwest Virginia). I started getting heavy into ‘gaming’ and went to many conventions with a friend of mine who just happens to be a writer of Conan novels for Tor (John Maddex Roberts!), and I began to meet artistic folks.

During college, Charles Vess, artist of Sandman, came by our art class to show his work. He mentioned the Joe Kubert School of Art to me. (For those who don’t know of Joe, he’s a comic legend. He drew Hawkman and Sergeant Rock for decades.) I applied to the school and moved to New Jersey in 1994. After two years of school, I began working professionally as a roleplaying artist for the Deadlands Roleplaying game. I still do roleplaying illustrations for a living and have worked on Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Battletech, Shadow-run, Middle Earth and Steve Jackson’s Gurps, as well as Dead-lands. I’ve even illustrated a map in one of my friend’s Conan novel!

(LADY): How did you get started in this business and what sort of Batman-related work have you done?

(LOSTON): I got work at DC Comics by going to their offices with my class as a field trip. I wasn’t in school at the time, but I took some stuff in anyway. Unfortunately, the trip came right after the big comic implosion, and all I had taken with me were inking samples. This was at a time when twenty year inking veterans were trying to find work, so I got this from the editors: “Your stuff is great – two years ago, we could have given you work, but now you’ll have to get in line.”

I was crushed. I didn’t bring any pencil samples because I’d been so busy with rpg art that I didn’t have time to do anything new. However, a friend of mine, John Trumbull, had brought some Batman animated art to show the editors, and it was warmly received! Steve Korte of the license department dug his stuff and told him he would have some work for him in the future. I talked to John and got Steve’s number then called and asked Steve if I could send him some of my stuff. He told me I could, and I set up an appointment to go in with John to show Steve some new art. Steve liked my work, and John and I were both hired to do Batman “Deep Freeze”, a colouring/activity book for kids. After that, I did a Superman colouring/activity book called “Superman: Stop the Presses.” It seemed that DC was grooming John and me to do comics via the license department. (Alex Ross started there, by the way!)

In early 1999 I pencilled a JLA coloring/activity book, but that never made it to print. With The New Adventures of Batman and Superman cancelled to keep Batman Beyond going, the book was shelved. I’ve been told by Steve that I’m still on the list of choice artists, but without a host of cartoons or a movie project underway, all the license is really doing is re-printing and doing some anniversary coffee table books right now. I’m still doing a host of role playing projects, and you guys are up to snuff on my current pro career!

(LADY): Are you a fan of Batman and/or other super heroes?

(LOSTON): I’m a huge fan of comics in general! My faves are numerous, but I dig Batman, Hulk, Spiderman, Conan, and Nightwing, to name a few.

(LADY): How is it decided what character(s) you get to draw (as with the “Deep Freeze” colouring/activity book)?

(LOSTON): With the Batman book, they split the book in half. I drew the last half. John got to draw all the pin-ups in that book, and I hate him for it!!!! (hehe) The drawings were described to us in a paragraph and were pretty pedestrian in description. As artists, we got to ‘beef’ them up!

(LADY): Is there any particular thing you like to draw more than others?

(LOSTON): I like to draw anything. I get into monsters and the like, but find that I draw people best. I dig lighting and do a lot of that in my realistic work.

(LADY): Do you have a personal favorite character?

(LOSTON): I have several. In Batman, I like Batman, Nightwing, Harley Quinn, Joker, Creeper, and Mr Freeze. They are fun to draw – Clayface too!

(LADY): Who is the most underused character, in your opinion?

(LOSTON): Within the Batman universe, I’d have to say that everyone seems used as often as I feel is necessary. I do miss Dick Grayson in the Batman books a little, but they do cross over frequently enough.

(LADY): What would you like to see in the future for the Dark Knight?

(LOSTON): Better stories. Larry Hama’s Batman stories have Bats travelling around during the day which bugs me. Batman works best at night. Period. Also, there’s a recent book where Batman takes two bullets to the head…then he declares himself fortunate for having kevlar under his mask! What?!! That’s just plain stupid. Throw in “dialogue” where the characters are calling each other “turkeys,” and you’ve got a poorly-executed book.

(LADY): What are your future goals within the realm of Batman-related illustration?

(LOSTON): I’m actually working on a trial script in my free time (which unfortunately, isn’t often).

(LADY): Unfortunately, Loston didn’t elaborate on the details of his script-writing effort, but maybe we can get a bit more in-depth on that subject in a future interview!

Somewhere in the midst of my chattering, Loston was able to get a word in edge-wise and offered to do a “commissioned” work for me of Nightwing and Batman. A two-week window of opportunity arose in Loston’s busy schedule, and we arranged for him to pencil an original drawing for me in his more realistic style! Can we say “excited”?! 🙂

I want to thank Loston for taking time out from his hectic day to speak with us, and I, personally, wish him all the best in his future endeavors with Bats and company!

For a peek at some of Loston’s work, click on the link below. He and his wife, Carolyn (a fellow Joe Kubert School of Art alumni and a graphic design artist in her own right), share their creative talents online with us and with the world at large!

http://www.geocities.com/~cmwallace/Images/Loston/batman1MED.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Film/3580/Loston.jpg

-LadyWayne
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EDITORIAL
(by Kelly Tindall)
cointoss@hotmail.com

???
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AND THAT’S THE FACTS
(by “Reliable Source”)

(Yes, I understand that the title is grammatically incorrect. So sue us. Actually, nix that. Don’t sue us.)

(DISCLAIMER: For those of you who are not yet familiar, Reliable Source is an anonymous character who first surfaced on Batman: The Animated Message Boards, spewing forth ridiculous predictions about the future of Batman Beyond under the guise of spoiler warnings. His controversial posts created quite a buzz, and have landed him a temporary column with this newsletter. The thoughts and ideas expressed by this shady character are in no way officially connected to Kids WB, Batman Beyond, this newsletter, or anything that is decent or holy. That said, on with the show.)

???
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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.

“Aimless ramblings from the editor’s brain…”

311. Jeep Swenson provides the voice for what character on BTAS?

A: Commissioner Gordon
B: Killer Croc
C: Bane
D: Nightwing
E: NONE

312. What does the clock read after Batman halts the Scarecrow from dumping his fear toxin into the Arkham resevoir?

A: ONE MINUTE
B: ONE SECOND
C: TWO SECONDS
D: THREE SECONDS
E: This never happened

313. Bud and Lou are:

A: The first names of Rocco and Henshaw
B: Spouses of Sugar and Spice
C: Stand-up comics in MAKE ‘EM LAUGH
D: Hyenas
E: Dini & Quinzel’s love-children

314. What was the first BATMAN BEYOND episode to take advantage of “digital colouring” technology?

A: EYEWITNESS
B: TERRY’S FRIEND DATES A ROBOT
C: REBIRTH (Pt. 1)
D: MELTDOWN
E: THE EGGBABY

315. To date, Terry McGinnis has NOT fought (either in a training session or real life):

A: Two-Face
B: The Riddler
C: Egghead
D: The Joker
E: Bane
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)

Answer to #311: E
Answer to #312: C
Answer to #313: D
Answer to #314: A
Answer to #315: C, E
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LITTLE FACTS AND BLOOPERS
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)

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

CONTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
1) Kevin Conroy smokes cigarettes in order to keep his gruff Bruce Wayne voice.

2) The “Ingagement” girl from MASK OF THE PHANTASM makes a small cameo in JOKER’S MILLIONS. Watch the scene where Dick and Babs are waiting in line. You’ll see her.

CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by “SSS 979”)
3) In the BEYOND episode “PLAGUE”, while Batman and Stalker are chasing False Face (who had changed into Nelson), Stalker is knocked down and Batman stops at his side. After their short conversation, Batman flies up and away and Stalker magically disappears from the place where he’d been laying.
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‘UNDER THE KNIFE’ – BATMAN BEYOND UK CUT REPORTS
-by Brian Davis

Batman Beyond is called Batman of the Future in the UK. It is shown on CITV Sundays at 9.25am and they make a lot of cuts !!!! Brian Davis uncovers these cuts and lets the public know how good BB episode are being butchered in the UK.

*Brian has not supplied us with an article for this issue, but he will be back next issue with a brand-new column!
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MERCHANDISING: WHERE THE REAL BAT-CASH IS MADE
(by anyone who cares to contribute)

Come on, contribute! Someone! Please? 🙂
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
(BATMAN BEYOND by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
(SUPERMAN ADVENTURES by Dick Grayson)

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUES: “In Arms” (#26)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILLED BY: Tim Levins
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: May 3, 2000 (cover date, July 2000)
RATING (out of 5): ***1/2

Batman is on the hunt for something called “Kristov” – something that all the different mafias and government agencies throughout the world are searching for. His search finally ends when he comes across a Kristov itself – a child whose DNA has been imprinted with missile launch codes.
As far-fetched as it MAY sound, it still is an interesting twist to the story. Once I found that this “Kristov” was a child, I figured he or she must be related to someone in power somewhere in the world, and would therefore be used for ransom; the launch codes provided an original change to this type of mafia story.
This issue made me wonder about a few things, though – and that’s a good thing. I recall that when BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES started up way back in 1992, one of the things they had to ABSOLUTELY stay away from was child endangerment; in this issue we see three consecutive pages of Batman fighting crime, rescuing people, and otherwise saving the day – all while Kristov is in his arms. Dangerous? Probably – but I think Peterson wrote the story this way to show not only how skilled and competent Batman is, but how much more he cares for children than anyone else. I suppose his excuse to NOT give it to Alfred back in the cave was reasonable, too; Ra’s Al Ghul just might come through, looking for the baby.
The scenes where Batman shows his incompetence of actually taking care of the baby were cute, too; Batman’s all heart, yes, but he knows nothing of raising infants, like feeding and diaper changing. Then again, Batman does have absolutely no experience here – all of his “kids” (i.e. Dick and Tim) were pre-teens when they entered his life.
To continue protecting the baby, Batman actually gives up his secret identity to the FBI (though they’re unaware of it); I won’t say HOW, because the way in which he does it makes sense. I just hope that Batman sometime gets into the DNA database and erases that information; he’s got to cover himself. That’s the only thing that could cause problems in this issue – but it also provides the story for a future issue.
Overall, I thought it was a great issue.

;-Y
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COMIC SCHEDULES & COVERING THE BASICS

This section gives a little bit more in-depth look into each monthly issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM
ADVENTURES, BATMAN BEYOND, and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. Below each comic listing is a link to the cover of that comic. TALK ABOUT SERVICE!
The price for any of these issues, unless otherwise posted, is $1.99 in the US and…grrrrr…a whopping $3.25 in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the “grrr”.)
If we are unsure of the exact date of when an issue is being released, just check out “DIRECT CURRENTS” at http://www.dccomics.com for details.

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #27
June 7th
Synopsis: A popular college professor of law who teaches a class on organized crime is in jail for the murder of a known mob boss. Has the professor stepped over the line and become judge, jury and executioner? Or is he being framed by a new player on the mob scene in Gotham?
Cover: Unavailable

FOLLOWING MONTH:
Synopsis: The return of the Riddler.
Cover: Unavailable

BATMAN BEYOND #9
May 24th
Synopsis: Batman VS. Curare. Oh, and Bruce Wayne, too.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/
0002/22/BatmanBeyondCvr9.jpg

FOLLOWING MONTH: .
Synopsis: A new, improved Golem returns to Gotham.
Cover: Unavailable

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #44
May 9th
Synopsis: The Commander, the manipulative malefactor with the power to force anyone to obey his orders, returns! And his only desire is to have all of Metropolis kill one man: Superman! How can the Man of Steel fight an entire city that has turned against him?
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/
comics/apr12/covers/down/dsupa44.jpg

FOLLWOING MONTH:
Synopsis: Unavailable
Cover: Unavailable
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NEWS AND RUMORS

ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-CARTOON NETWORK has announced that Batman will return to the popular cable channel in June, in a possible new format (ie: as The New Batman/Superman Adventures). More informaiton as it becomes available.
-According to the tvgist.com schedule at cartoonnetwork.com, BATMAN will be returned to the CARTOON NETWORK last night (Tuesday) at 6pm (ET). It still may become a part of Toonami in June.
-Terry Beatty has been and will be selling Gotham Adventures and Batman Beyond original art on eBay. His Seller ID is: beatty@machlink.com Do yourself a favor and check out some great art!
-Craig Rousseau has been and will be selling Gotham Adventures and Batman Beyond original art on eBay. His Seller ID is: cerousseau@aol.com Feel free to check it out! You don’t wanna miss it!

ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS, STAS, BEYOND)
-Kids’ WB! Animated series The New Batman/Superman Adventures and Batman Beyond earned a total of 9 Daytime Emmy Award nominations, including special nominations in special categories. The New Batman/Superman Adventures was nominated in the Outstanding Children’s Animated Program category (to be broadcast as part of the televised Emmy Awards ceremony on May 19th ), while Batman Beyond was nominated for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program.
Both shows were nominated – included Batman/Superman twice – for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition, as well as for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing Special Class. Batman Beyond was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing Special Class. The Emmy winners will be announced on May 13.

ANIMATED COMICS
-The first six issues of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES will be collected in tradepaperback form, being released on May 17. These six issues feature great stories by Ty Templeton and great art by Rick Burchett and Terry Beatty; characters in the spotlight are Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Joker, Two-Face, Scarecrow, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, the Riddler, Clayface, Deadman, and more. It will cost $9.95, and the cover will be the same as the cover of GOTHAM ADVENTURES #1.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #28 features the return of the Riddler.
-BATMAN BEYOND #10: A new, improved Golem returns on June 28.

OTHER COMICS
-Frank Miller is currently in the planning stages of his DARK KNIGHT RETURNS sequel, tentatively titled THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN.
-DARK VICTORY #9 features the first team-up of Batman and Robin. Check out the cover:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0003/
21/BatmanDarkVictory9.JPG
-DARK VICTORY #10: Mr. Freeze enters the mix as the Batman/Gordon/Two-Face/Mob war escalates.
-Devin Grayson will be revealing the narrator of the GOTHAM KNIGHTS series in a five issue story beginning in issue #8, this August.
-Dale Eaglesham and Paul Ryan will be dropping their pencilling duties at GOTHAM KNGIHTS and move onto other projects once Roger Robinson (of AZRAEL fame) comes in with issue #8.

MOVIES
-A SPECIAL EDITION of the 1989 BATMAN film is in the making. It will feature two previously deleted scenes (the Joker at a radio station???), as well as the two preview trailers and commentaries by Tim Burton and Michael Keaton. This is due out in October.

LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-For more info about the ONSTAR commercials, go to:
http://www.geocities.com/bbeyond/news.html
-Check out http://www.fandom.com/batman for downloadable versions of the ONSTAR commercials if the official ONSTAR site is not being cooperative with your PC. The commercials can also be found at http://www.adcritic.com – just search for “Batman”.
-It appears a fourth ONSTAR commercial will now be made. The release date is currently unknown.

TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-Alfred FINALLY has a figure of his own! He’ll be included in a four-pack including Batman, Robin, and Clayface. Thanks to Bobby Simic for pointing that out! Go here for the pics:
http://www.geocities.com/jokerinc_2000/4pack.html
-A new 12″ Batgirl figure in the comic book style has now been released at WB stores. Here’s a picture: (Thanks to Andie Nappi for giving us this information!)
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?
MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=315444476

SPECIAL NOTE
For more BATMAN, SUPERMAN, AND BEYOND news throughout the week, check out the WORLD’S FINEST
NEWS PAGE at:
http://www.geocities.com/bbeyond/news.html
______________________

FEATURED BAT-SITE FOR THIS ISSUE
(feel free to submit your own for our consideration)

None whatsoever for this issue. Why am I not surprised? Sigh… ;-Y
______________________
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
BATMAN BEYOND VIDEO SITE
http://www.batmanbeyondvideo.com
YTV’S BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES PAGE
http://www.ytv.com/shows/batman_animated/
YTV’s BATMAN BEYOND Page
http://www.ytv.com/shows/batman_beyond/
SUB-ZERO: THE DEFINTIVE GUIDE
http://www.batman-subzero.com
KID’S WB
http://www.kidswb.com
DC COMICS
http://www.dccomics.com
KTLA KIDS WB SCHEDULES
http://www.ktla.com/backstage/programming/KIDSWB.htm
TOON ZONE
http://www.toonzone.net
PSYCOMICS
http://www.psycomics.com
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
BATMAN, SUPERMAN, & BEYOND: THE WORLD’S FINEST DISCUSSION CENTER
http://welcome.to/worldsfinest
THE DISCUSSION CENTER (same as above)
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Taping/2928/boards.htm
BRIAN CRUZ’ WB CARTOON PAGE
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/index.html
BATMAN UK (BRIAN’S BATMAN PAGE)
http://www.batmanuk.freeserve.co.uk
RA’S AL GHUL’S THE LAZARUS PIT
http://zap.to/lazaruspit
THE DARK KNIGHT
http://www.darkknight.ca
BATMAN BEYOND: WELCOME TO THE FUTURE
http://www.batmanbeyond.net
TIM WAN’S BATMAN BEYOND
http://come.to/batmanbeyond
DCU ANIMATED
http://www.DCUAnimated.zzn.com
BRUCE TIMM ARCHIVE SITE
http://members.xoom.com/brucetimm
HARLEY’S HAVEN OF HEDONISM
http://www.harley-quinn.com
GOTHAM CITY LIMITS
http://www.batman.gexner.net
BATMAN: DEFENDER OF GOTHAM
http://www.fandom.com/batman
THE RIDDLER – EDWARD NYGMA’S PUZZLE WEBSITE
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/prospero.milan/nygma
THE BATMAN ACTION FIGURE PAGE
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/7659/
CHARACTERS ON THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN
http://www.xse.com/leres/batman.html
ARKHAM ASYLUM
http://animation.acmecity.com/saturday/352
JOKERZ TERRITORY
http://members.xoom.com/Jokerz84/index.htm
THE BATZONE
http://www.batzone.cjb.net/
JLA: THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://animation.acmecity.com/character/375
ANIMATED TALES
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dunes/2294/at
A TRIBUTE TO BATMAN
http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/russkafin/batman.html
ANIMATED STYLE ARTWORK ARCHIVE
http://hjem.get2net.dk/twt/asaa/home.html
BATMAN CEL SITE
http://animation.acmecity.com/carbon/111
DARK JUSTICE
http://www.mania.com.au/~grahark/darkjustice/
ROGUE AVENUE, GOTHAM
http://www.ultros.com/rogue_avenue
THE BATMAN BEYOND INFO PAGE
http://www.rogue-spear.com/BB
THE VAULT
http://dmoz.org/Arts/Animation/Voice_Actors

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:

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 article, and everyone is entitled to it. And if you do submit something, please don’t just submit a basic review of an episode or a comic or something (because we have people writing for those purposes already) – write about an issue you’d like to discuss.
______________________
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES

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

TOONZONE’s BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/wbc/newsletters/btan
______________________
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, put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, and put the e-mail address you’d like the newsletter to be sent to in the body of the message.

For more information about 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
______________________
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! Thank you for reading! See ya next time!

CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER

EDITOR AT COLLEGE, NOT IN A DORM: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
EDITOR AT COLLEGE, BUT IN A DORM: “Dick Grayson”
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Brian Cruz, RiddlerWB (at the official BTAS/STAS site), and YTV.com
EPISODE REVIEWS: Zanna/Justin Chen, and occasionally Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
EDITORIAL: Kelly Tindall
AND THAT’S THE FACTS: “Reliable Source”
COMIC REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton, Dick Grayson
UNDER THE KNIFE: Brian Davis
MERCHANDISE REVIEW: Various
“BTAN ARCHIVES” MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: 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:-Y Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
DELIVERY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane & Bill Finger (who else?)

Batman and all related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 2000.
_____________________

AND THANK YOU TO LADYWAYNE FOR SURPRISING US WITH AN INTERVIEW! THANK-U!!!! ;-Y

Batman The Animated Newsletter #65

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