Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of February 11 – February 18, 2001
Volume 4,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language and occasional griping”
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “WHAT’S WITH ALL THE FALSE BATMAN BEYOND AND GOTHAM ADVENTURES FLOATING ABOUT THIS WEEK???”
____________________________________________________________________
MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS
-BIG NEWS ON THE JLA SERIES AND THE FATE OF BATMAN BEYOND! SCROLL DOWN TO READ!
-BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR ‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY! SCROLL DOWN TO JUST BELOW OUR EPISODE REVIEW FOR DETAILS!
-WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED OUR RESULT FOR THE “GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS”, OUR VERSION OF THE “BEST/WORST OF 2000” POLLS THAT ARE RUNNING RAMPANT ACROSS THE NET RIGHT ABOUT NOW. BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND CHECK IT OUT!
Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
-kinda neurotic
____________________________________________________________________
EAGERLY ANTICIPATING…
New episodes are on the horizon! Here’s what we can expect in the near future…
UNMASKED
Batman Beyond #??
Air date: ???
Synopsis: A little kid gets a glimpse of the face under the Batman mask.
COUNTDOWN
Batman Beyond #??
Air date: ???
Synopsis: Zeta and Mad Stan return.
___________________________________________________________________
KIDS WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Brian Cruz and/or the official BTAS/STAS site)
Kids’WB! currently airs BATMAN BEYOND five or six times a week. Batman airs on weekday afternoons Monday-Friday, as well occasionally Friday morning before Pokemon. Remember, Kids’WB! is notorious for switching schedules around at the very last minutes. Batman Beyond currently airs at 11:30am (ET) on Saturdays and 4:30pm (ET) on weekdays.
Check out these links if our schedule is not 100% updated:
http://www.ktla.com/backstage/programming/KIDSWB.htm
http://www.geocities.com/worldsfinestpage/airdate.htm
http://www.toonzone.net/shows
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 02-12-01: B-BEYOND #09 Spellbound
Tue 02-13-01: B-BEYOND #27 Eyewitness
Wed 02-14-01: B-BEYOND #06 Shriek
Thu 02-15-01: B-BEYOND #25 Babel
Fri 02-16-01: NONE
Sat 02-17-01: B-BEYOND #46 Out of the Past
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 02-19-01: B-BEYOND #04 Golem
Tue 02-20-01: B-BEYOND #24 Revenant
Wed 02-21-01: B-BEYOND #?? ???
Thu 02-22-01: B-BEYOND #?? ???
Fri 02-23-01: ???
Sat 02-24-01: B-BEYOND #?? ???
_____________________________________________________________________
CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN and BEYOND on YTV)
(courtesy of our friends at YTV)
YTV currently has the rights to air all 109 episodes of Batman, as well as the current 52 episodes of Batman Beyond (though for some reason, it’s not currently being aired). YTV usually airs these episodes in either chronological order, or in the original order they aired on Kids’WB! and FOX. Batman now airs at 3:30am Monday – Friday. (Actually, more correctly, they seem to be airing them at 3:40 am – go figure.) If our schedules are not updated or are inaccurate, please use these links:
http://www.geocities.com/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.ytv.com/ytvguide
THIS WEEK:
Mon 02-12-01: BTAS #54 Zatanna
Tue 02-13-01: BTAS #32 Robin’s Reckoning (Pt. 1)
Wed 02-14-01: BTAS #37 Robin’s Reckoning (Pt. 2)
Thu 02-15-01: BTAS #47 Birds of a Feather
Fri 02-16-01: BTAS #58 Blind as a Bat
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 02-19-01: BTAS #43 Day of the Samurai
Tue 02-20-01: BTAS #15 See No Evil
Wed 02-21-01: BTAS #59 The Demon’s Quest (Pt. 1)
Thu 02-22-01: BTAS #63 The Demon’s Quest (Pt. 2)
Fri 02-23-01: BTAS #64 Read My Lips
_____________________________________________________________________
THE CARTOON NETWORK
Cartoon Network has the right to air all 109 Batman episodes, as well as all 54 Superman episiodes. Come September, Cartoon Network will begin airing these. Shows. Batman currently airs during the weekday Toonami block at 6:30pm (ET). Superman will soon have a set airdate as well. Since Cartoon Network is unpredictable with their schedules, we are unable to keep up with them. Please, use these links to find out the schedule information you need:
Here is where you can find an air date schedule:
http://alt.cartoonnetwork.com/Schedule/1,2989,CTN|0|306587|Eastern,00.html
Or, if that doesn’t work, go here:
http://www.geocities.com/worldsfinestpage/airdate.htm
_____________________________________________________________________
EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Justin Chen and/or Zanna)
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!
With no new episodes debuting, we have nothing to review…anyone wanna submit reviews of older BTAS episodes? We’re always taking submissions!
THE CALL (Pt. 1)
Story by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett
Teleplay by Rich Fogel and Hilary J. Bader
Directed by Butch Lukic
Animation by Koko Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Dong Yang Animation Co., Ltd.
Original airdate: November 11, 2000
My rating: **** 1/2 (Out of five stars)
Bright and golden Metropolis is the home of the Justice League Unlimited and its headquarters, the Watchtower. While inside practicing his battle skills, Micron, an Atom-like hero, receives an emergency call on the JLU frequency. A monorail has gone out of control. Micron saves the driver but cannot stop the now-empty train from crashing. Worse still, an impenetrable force field has sealed Micron in the lead car and he is seriously injured.
The relative peace of dark and shadowy Gotham City is shattered by Inque blasting a prototype battlepod out of a military research and development building. The Batmobile is in close pursuit. Batman cripples the machine with an electrically charged grappling hook. A man dressed entirely in green – coat, hood, and large gloves – observes the action from a nearby rooftop. The battlepod crash-lands forcing Inque and Batman to continue their battle on the ground. The green clothed man approaches and Inque coils herself around the man squeezing him menacingly. Batman protests that she has involved an innocent bystander, but the man tells Batman that he can take it from here. Then, the man starts spinning very fast and flings Inque off in long, stringy blobs. Inque is very disoriented and Batman easily subdues her. Batman looks at the man and now sees him clad in black and white as Superman.
In the Batcave, a slightly aged but still super-humanly strong Superman, greets Bruce and holds out his hand in friendship. Bruce is (surprise!) cold and distant with Superman. Bruce asks Superman why he is in Gotham. Superman tells Bruce that he has been observing his protege and wants Terry to join the Justice League. Terry is awed and stunned. Bruce wonders if Terry is only a replacement for Micron. Superman says that this goes beyond that. Then Bruce tells Superman that it’s not his [Bruce’s] decision to make.
Later, at the Watchtower, Superman brings in Batman. Barda objects that Superman didn’t discuss this with the league. Warhawk, an apparent successor of Hawkman, the current Green Lantern, a young Asian child, and Aquagirl, possibly related to Aquaman, are also displeased. Superman tells them all that, like it or not, Batman stays. The rest of the league leaves the room. Batman regrets coming. But Superman disagrees and says that he needs someone he can trust. He suspects that someone in the league is a traitor and he wants Batman to find that traitor.
Explosions erupt at many locations in Metropolis and the league goes into action. Supermanassigns Batman to assist an unhappy Warhawk. Batman manages to keep up with him and help in the rescue. Just when everything seems wrapped up, Warhawk is caught in a massive missile explosion. Batman is devastated. Once again, the league is suspicious of Batman.
Back at the Batcave, analysis of the Batplane’s recording of the incident shows the traitor sabotaging the missile Warhawk is guiding to a safe detonation point. Terry is stunned. Bruce gives Terry a weapon to use against the traitor, telling him to do whatever it takes.
GOOD POINTS:
The beginning of this episode was a fine study of the two cities and their heroes. The contrast between the bright, cheerful Metropolis and the dark, ominous Gotham was well depicted.
At the Watchtower, it is not readily apparent that Micron is practicing his fighting skills in miniature form. Only when he goes to the computer and is seen next to a coffee cup does it become obvious that he is miniaturized. It’s a nice touch.
Superman fans FINALLY get to see their hero in the Metropolis and Gotham of the future. Blest with his superior alien physiology, Superman has aged much less than Batman. Seeing Batman and Superman’s first meeting in years was a treat. Bruce ignores Superman’s hand held out in greeting. Instead, Bruce tells him that it’s been a while. Unfazed, Superman tells Bruce that he’s holding up pretty well. Bruce replies that he could use some of that Kryptonian DNA. Superman smiles and says, “Bruce will outlive them all because he’s too stubborn to die.” Bruce seems to enjoy the meeting, though he did his best to hide it. Terry grins and relishes the exchange between heroes.
Since the league did not vote or even discuss Batman’s membership in the league, the other members were understandably antagonistic toward him. Warhawk’s comment that Batman keep out of his way and that hawks eat rodents like him for breakfast was both funny and fitting. It was equally appropriate that the League be mistrustful of this Batman, a non-super-powered human. Bruce was distant with his JLA and those relationships were also somewhat strained.
When the missile exploded, Warhawk’s helmet embedded itself into the windshield of the Batplane. Without a single drop of blood, it graphically illustrated the result of the explosion.
The color tinting in much of the final scene added to the action’s dramatic atmosphere.
The ending of this first part of the story was quite exciting and unexpected.
Voice casting and acting was quite good. Presumably, Tim Daly (from WINGS and now the lead in THE FUGITIVE) was unavailable to reprise the voice of Superman. His deeper voiced and older founding replacement, Christopher McDonald, was also Jor-El’s voice in STAS, Last Son of Krypton. Jodi Benson performed as Aquagirl. She was also Ariel’s voice in the LITTLE MERMAID and was an interesting choice. Farrah Forke who portrayed Mason Drake in LOIS & CLARKE and Alex Lambert in WINGS voiced Barda. Peter Onorati provided the voice for Warhawk. Wayne Brady, from WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? and THE DREW CAREY SHOW, was the voice of Micron. Lauren Tom, who normally provides the voice for Terry’s girlfriend, Dana, was the voice of the young Green Lantern. Shannon Kenny reprised her voice role of Inque.
BAD POINTS:
Having to wait a week for the second half of the story was maddening!
Background information for both original and current Justice League members would have beenfantastic. Superman now wears a dark costume similar to one he wore in the parallel universe of the STAS episode, BRAVE NEW METROPOLIS. Why? What happened to Wonder Woman, the Flash, Lois, and Nightwing?
Reviewed by Zanna
(Zanna_Z@NOSPAMyahoo.com remove NOSPAM to email)
___________________________________________________________________
EDITORIAL
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
As we, yet again, have no editorial, I’ve decided to throw the results for our third annual GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS into the editorial slot for this issue. Enjoy, now!
The third annual GOLDEN OVAL AWARDS
Yeah, it’s that time of year again! I’ve tabulated our votes for the best and worst of the past year and have the results all ready for you. Actually, it was quite an easy task – perhaps it was our huge onslaught of questions or the fact that people were busy, but our turn-out for this year wasn’t all too impressive. Soooo, to show our gratitude to those that did in fact vote (you all know who you are), we are offering you all an unedited ROTJ copy if you write in and ask us. (The terms and conditions are the same as in the “RETURN OF THE JOKER GIVEAWAY/NO MAN’S ISLAND” section – see below.)
Sooo, without further adieu, let’s see the results!
THE ANIMATED WORLD: TV and COMIC BOOKS
1) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” EPISODE
It looks like people still have a thing for old-school Batman, and who could blame them? OUT OF THE PAST got 50% of the vote as being the best BEYOND episode of the past year. KING’S RANSOM came in next with 25%, then THE CALL (PT. 1) and BABEL with 12.5% a piece.
2) WORST “BATMAN BEYOND” EPISODE
For whatever reason, people did not seem to favour SPEAK NO EVIL, as 33.3% of you disliked that episode the most. The following episodes each got 16.7% each: ARMORY, BETRAYAL, THE CALL (PT. 2), SENTRIES OF THE LOST COSMOS.
3) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” DESIGN
BATMAN (28.6%)
SUPERMAN (28.6%)
ACE THE BAT-HOUND (14.3%)
FUTURE BATMOBILE (14.3%)
PAYBACK (14.3%)
4) WORST “BATMAN BEYOND” DESIGN
MA MAYHEM (25%)
WARHAWK (18.8%)
GREEN LANTERN (18.8%)
MAD STAN (12.5%)
DOG-MONSTER IN “Ace in the Hole” (12.5%)
BIG TIME (12.5%)
5) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” VOICE
Again, it looks like old-school is still preferred here. KEVIN CONROY led the pack here (as expected) with 37.5% of the vote; DAVID WARNER (voice of Ra’s Al Ghul) got 25%. Rounding out the group were Will “Terry” Friedle, Olivia “Ten” D’Abo, and Christopher “Older Superman” MacDonald.
6) WORST “BATMAN BEYOND” VOICE
People did not seem to click with Angie Harmon, taking over for Stockard Channing as the voice of Barbara Gordon. 25% of you thought so, anyway.
7) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” MUSIC SEQUENCE
OPENING CREDITS (28.8%)
FINAL FIGHT IN “APRIL MOON” (14.3%)
SUPERMAN’S THEME IN “THE CALL” (14.3%)
ANY MIXING OF THE ORIGINAL BTAS AND BEYOND THEMES (14.3%)
WHERE BRUCE AND TERRY FIGHT TOGETHER IN “OUT OF THE PAST” (14.3%)
SUPERMAN CHASES THE BATWING IN “THE CALL (Pt. 2)” (14.3%)
8) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” VISUAL EFFECTS
INQUE’S SHAPESHIFTING IN “INQUELING” (14.3%)
THE ENTIRE EPISODE, “PLAGUE” (14.3%)
TERRY’S BUZZ-SAW IN “ACE IN THE HOLE” (14.3%)
SPELLBINDER’S EYE IN “EYEWITNESS” (14.3%)
DIGITAL COLOURING IN GENERAL (14.3%)
FINAL FIGHT IN “FINAL CUT” (14.3%)
BRUCE GETS OUT KRYPTONITE IN “THE CALL (Pt. 1)” (14.3%)
9) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” ‘GOOD GUY’
BATMAN (TERRY) (37.5%)
BRUCE WAYNE (25%)
ACE THE BATHOUND (12.5%)
SUPERMAN (12.5%)
MAX GIBSON (12.5%)
10) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” VILLAIN
INQUE (37.5%)
RA’S AL GHUL (25%)
THE ROYAL FLUSH GANG (12.5%)
SUPERMAN (12.5%)
SHRIEK (12.5%)
11) WORST “BATMAN BEYOND” ‘GOOD GUY’
MAX GIBSON (42.3%)
ZETA (14.3%)
GORILLA IN “SPEAK NO EVIL” (14.3%)
HOWARD GROOTE (14.3%)
BIG BARDA (14.3%)
12) WORST “BATMAN BEYOND” VILLAIN
MA MAYHEM (50.0%)
ARMORY (16.7%)
SPELLBINDER (16.7%)
HEADHUNTER IN “SPEAK NO EVIL” (16.7%)
13) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” WRITER
Wow, I must admit that I found this to be interesting, but well deserved. Stan Berkowitz has been nominated as favourite writer – 42.3% of you thought so. Paul Dini tied in second with 28.6% each.
14) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” DIRECTOR
Curt Geda led the pack with 66.7%; Butch Lukic and Glen Murakami both got 16.7% each, tying in second.
15) BEST “GOTHAM ADVENTURES” ISSUE
Half our voters loved Ed Brubaker’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” tale in ; the other issues featuring the Scarecrow (#32), Riddler (#28), and a guest-appearance of the Flash (#25) all got 16.7% each.
16) WORST “GOTHAM ADVENTURES” ISSUE
Only two issues were voted for this honour, each getting 50% of the vote: Peterson’s (featuring Ra’s Al Ghul) and Chuck Dixon’s guest stint in #29 (where Batman has only 6 hours to live.)
17) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” ISSUE
Wow, again with the old-school. , featuring the after-effects of the Scarecrow’s fear toxin on Barbara Gordon won – 60% of you loved it. Issue #7 (featuring Spellbinder) and #12 (the return of terminal) got 20% each, coming in second.
18) WORST “BATMAN BEYOND” ISSUE
Not many (50%) appreciated the Demon’s appearance in . Terminal’s re-appearance in popped up here, too, with 33.3%, and (the return of Willie Watt and the Golems) got 16.7%.
19) BEST “GOTHAM ADVENTURES” COVER
The depiction of the Scarecrow holding Gotham in his grasp in took this category with 40% of the vote. Other covers that were voted for included #28 (the Riddler watching Batman kickin’ ass through a magnifying glass), #25 (the Flash and Batman, just chillin’) and #33 (Batman throwing the cowl aside) got 20% each.
20) BEST “BATMAN BEYOND” COMIC COVER
This just seems to be the Scarecrow’s day! He’s shown up here, too, as the best BATMAN BEYOND comic cover (). Tied for this honour, though, is the cover of Issue #9 featuring Batman and lots of cool computerized microchips. They got 33.3% each. The covers to issues #11 and #14 were also favoured, with 16.7% each.
21) BEST BTAS/BEYOND ACTION FIGURE OR OTHER MERCHANDISE
The 200th edition Batman figure won here with 40%. Figures of the Stalker and ‘Power Cape Batman’ (seemingly the only BEYOND figure with proper colouring) got 20% each. The Alfred figure and the entire set of the BATMAN BEYOND Burger King toys filled out the line-up with 10% each.
RETURN OF THE JOKER
22) BEST ACTION SEQUENCE
Everyone seemed to really like the extended opening fight between Batman and the Jokerz – 62.5% of you did. The final fight between Terry and the Joker got 25%, and the final fight between Bruce and the Joker got 12.5%.
23) BEST SCENE
THE ENTIRE FLASHBACK SEQUENCE (42.3%)
BATMAN ATTACKS JOKER IN PROJECTION BOOTH/KICKS ASS (14.3%)
“OUR FAMILY MEMORIES” (14.3%)
TERRY AND TIM TALK PRIOR TO HIS FINAL TRANSFORMATION (14.3%)
TERRY’S FINAL FIGHT WITH THE JOKER (14.3%)
24) BEST CHARACTER DESIGN
FUTURE JOKER (37.5%)
CLASSIC JOKER (25%)
JOKERIZED TIM DRAKE (12.5%)
BATGIRL (in flashback) (12.5%)
GHOUL (12.5%)
25) BEST PLOT TWIST/REVELATION
TIM DRAKE WAS THE ONE THAT “KILLED” THE JOKER (43.8%)
THE JOKER’S DNA LIVED ON WITHIN TIM DRAKE (43.8%)
TIM DRAKE’S BRAINWASHING/MIND-RAPE (12.5%)
26) BEST VOICE ACTOR
MARK HAMILL (the Joker) (50%)
KEVIN CONROY (Bruce) (25%)
WILL FRIEDLE (Terry) (12.5%)
DEAN STOCKWELL (Adult Tim Drake) (12.5%)
27) BEST MUSICAL SEQUENCE
ARKHAM MAYHEM (track #9) (42.9%)
NIGHTCLUB FIGHT (track #6) (14.3%)
INDUSTRIAL HEIST (track #2) (14.3%)
OPENING THEME (track #1) (14.3%)
A TRAP FOR TIM (track #7) (7.1%)
JOKER FAMILY PORTRAIT (track #8) (7.1%)
28) THE CUT MADE TO THE FILM THAT YOU CAN LIVE WITH
THE JOKER TORTURING ROBIN IN “OUR FAMILY MEMORIES” (25%)
CUTTING THE OCCASIONAL HIT IN ACTION SEQUENCES (12.5%)
SHORTENED LASER BEAM SEQUENCE (12.5%)
CHUCKO’S LINE ABOUT HURTING PEOPLE AS LONG AS IT’S FUN (12.5%)
CHANGING JOKER’S “PUTZES” LINE TO “YUTZES” (12.5%)
NANA HARLEY’S DRESS-COLOUR CHANGE (12.5%)
I’M OK WITH ALL THE CUTS (12.5%)
29) THE CUT THAT YOU COULDN’T DO WITHOUT
ROBIN SHOOTING THE JOKER (50%)
NONE OF THE CUTS BOTHERED ME (25%)
ACE BEING ELECTROCUTED IN THE END (12.5%)
“OUR FAMILY MEMORIES” (12.5%)
30) SHOULD THE FILM HAVE BEEN CUT TO BEGIN WITH?
NO (75%)
YES (12.5%)
DON’T CARE (12.5%)
31) REGARDLESS, WAS ‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ STILL A GOOD MOVIE, IN YOUR OPINION?
YES (100%)
32) NOW THAT TERRY HAS DEFEATED THE JOKER, DO YOU SEE HIM AS A WORTHY REPLACEMENT TO BRUCE WAYNE AS BATMAN?
YES! A VERY WORTHY SUCCESSOR! (50%)
YEAH, BUT NO ONE COMPARES TO BRUCE. PERIOD. (31.3%)
NO, HE STILL HAS A LOT TO LEARN. (18.7%)
Well, there you go! Those are the results for our third annual GOLDEN OVAL awards! Thanks to all that voted!
-Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
___________________________________________________________________
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Due to popular demand by some of our subscribers, we’ve decided to give a “Letters to the Editor” section a shot. Feel free to submit something you’d like to say to us, and each issue we’ll choose one to post and then reply to.
Our first letter comes from Kevin Wasser:
“Don’t you think it’s sad that we won’t get Tim Daly back for the voice of Superman? Now, everytime we watch an episode of the Justice League, we’ll think “It’s just not the same without Tim Daly”. I know that’s how we would ALL feel if Kevin Conroy hadn’t signed on to do Batman.
“Should we the fans be hoping that this remake of the Fugitive fails miserably, just so we can get Tim Daly back in the animation voicing business? It’s sad that an actor would prefer doing a remake of a 60’s show over a good old cartoon anyday…of course that’s the way most of Hollywood operates. Anyway, someone should start a petition to get Tim Daly back…
* * * * * *
TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN:
You have a good point, Kevin. I myself would love to see Tim Daly return to voice Superman, and considering how little time is actually needed to record voices (for feature length movies, it usually takes about two days, to my knowledge) you’d think it wouldn’t cause a problem.
That said, Tim Daly does have a life outside of the voice of Superman. Conroy, on the other hand, IS Batman – this is what most people remember him for. It’s unfortunate typecasting (But who cares? He’s getting the big bucks and we love him!) but that’s just it – Daly’s done a lot more outside of superhero animation than Conroy has.
I doubt that “The Fugitive” is going to fail – I haven’t watched it, but I hear it’s a good show and it’s likely to NOT be cancelled. (Will that Richard Kimble EVER stop running?)
Just remember, though, this hasn’t been confirmed. Only Conroy has been confirmed to be a part of the series – no one else has been confirmed OR completely ruled out, so there still is a chance that Daly could be back.
It’s just a matter of time until we know for sure.
_____________________________________________________________________
‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY
In trying to get people both more involved with the newsletter AND want to help them out at the same time, we’re offering anyone that participates in our NO MAN’S ISLAND column a chance to win unedited copies of RETURN OF THE JOKER.
The way it works is as follows: vote for the two characters you’d like to vote off the island. Of the characters that are being cast off or even nominated in that particular issue, we will randomly select one of these characters for our contest. Anyone who voted for this character will be entered into a draw, according to the e-mail address from which their ballot was recieved. Every issue, we will randomly select one e-mail address (from a hat, to make it fair) and that participant, if willing, wins a copy of the unedited movie!
It is only possible to win once; you may vote for NO MAN’S ISLAND as often as you like, but you will only be entered into our RETURN OF THE JOKER giveaway if you are a subscriber and have not already won a copy in a previous voting session.
If the selected winner for whatever reason declines, the will be another draw for that same week. Each e-mail address can only win once! The catch? The winner, if agreeing, must provide a tape and enough money to cover postage ($5 American) of the tape to and from their place of residence. There will be no extra profit for us at BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER (as that would be illegal) or anything. We just want to get this movie out to more people as it’s not going to be definately released on tape just yet.
NOTE: I am not promoting the act of bootlegging videos for profit, I am merely looking for the cost of the tape and postage, so fans will be able to view the movie as it was supposed to be.
That said, let’s get voting! (And make sure to read the NO MAN’S ISLAND section below.)
___________________________________________________________________
NO MAN’S ISLAND
ROUND TWELVE
(the SURVIVOR rip-off…erm…homage)
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
Ra’s Al Ghul and his team of urban renewalists dominated the last round, succeeding in the destruction of the Iceburg Lounge and a good portion of Gotham City along with it. Plant life is sprouting everywhere, taking over the entire city; if we were to end the challenge today, we’d have to declare Ra’s Al Ghul the winner. Still, there’s a lot of road to go…what will unfold this round?
…A WALTZ DOWN MEMORY LANE…
A WORD FROM THE CAST-AWAYS:
THE PENGUIN: “No. This cannot be. This simply cannot. The almighty, beloved Penguin KILLED OFF by hanging??? Where is the dignity? I deserved a death of BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS!…or at least a final meal of Caviar or something……”
RA’S AL GHUL: “Ack……very good, Detective…I’ll be seeing you again in a couple months…”
* * * * * * * * * *
“You killed him,” Poison Ivy murmurred, advancing on the Dark Knight, keeping one eye on the Lazarus Pit that had swallowed up Ra’s Al Ghul minutes before. “But our quest is far from over.” With that, she flailed her arms forward, sending a surge of entwined vines to rupture through the floor, the force of which sending her tied-up captives, Nightwing and Batgirl, back out of the open wound in the side of the skyscraper, plummeting to the cracked earth below. “Ha.”
Batman hollered in anger and tossed a batarang in Ivy’s direction, piercing through the back of her hand; she shrieked in pain and grabbed at the green blood dripping down past her wrist. Snarling, she looked up just in time to see Batman bulldoze her over as he leaped out of the building after his comrades; the rest of the building exploded with violent plant life with Ivy trapped inside.
As vines and leaves and thorns showered down on the trio, Batman surged forward and, with his jack-knife, cut his two partners free. After tearing the duct tape off of their mouthes the three of them shot out a grappling hook to slow down their descent and landed on the cracked ground amidst the vines and Lazarus Pit spill-over. Vines, branches, leaves, and thorns continued to explode from deep within the building, surging outward; the trio ran for cover until Batman’s cape went taut and he flew backwards against his own will. Before he could turn around a fist with the power of a tonne of bricks slammed into the back of his skull. “Leaving so soon, Mr. Wayne?” Nightwing and Batgirl spun around only to see Bane throw Batman down on the ground, taunting him to get up and fight.
Dashing across rootops, Robin wasn’t far now – he could see the botanical plundering was only blocks away. As he grew closer, he noticed a clash between four people happening below; with a quick shot of his grappling hook, he lept off of the skyscraper and swung downwards to join in on the action. The Joker saw this too, from street level; clucking his tongue and snickering inwardly, he rubbed his gloved hands together and searched for a good vantage point from which to watch the festivities.
“Victor!” a voice called. Mr. Freeze slowly turned around – not that he was afraid, or because he was weary, but because given the suit, he didn’t have much choice. He stared silently into the cold night until the voice blared within the concrete canyon again. “Victor! Freeze!” A slight snicker.
Mr. Freeze grabbed his gun and kept it at the ready. “Show yourself.” The Riddler acrobatically arced out of an alley and landed on the street, glaring impishly. Freeze wasn’t impressed. “What?”
“The boys and I have noticed that you’ve been spending a great deal of time around Batman and the cops lately – what’s up with that?” Freeze just stared at the Riddler, barely amused by his frivolous antics. “How is it they’ve got you wrapped around their little finger?”
“I take orders from no one,” he responded, aiming his gun and furrowing his brow.
“Hey I’m sorry,” the Riddler giggled.
“Don’t patronize me,” Freeze interrupted.
“…it’s just that my boss has a plan that is greatly in your favour.”
“NOW who’s taking orders from someone?” Freeze turned around and began to walk in the opposite direction.
“It involves your wife!” the Riddler called out; Freeze stopped and stared blankly for a moment. Edward smiled smugly to himself; he had Victor right where he wanted him.
* * * * * * * * * *
AND AFTER A TWELFTH ROUND OF VOTING…
“FREEZE!!!!” Bullock commanded the quartet of people before him. Everyone looked up momentarily, even Batman, albeit groggily. Bane grinned at Nightwing and Batgirl and then back at Bullock and his two comrades coming up behind him. After a moment of staying still, he moved again, throwing Batman back down on the concrete, chin first. “I said, FREEZE!” As Bane took a step towards Bullock over Batman’s beaten body; Bullock fired, embedding a burning bullet into Bane’s shoulder; it hardly slowed him down.
“I always took you for a rash cop, Bullock,” Bane murmurred as he advanced, “but never a stupid one.” Bullock began to fire rapidly, bullets continually penetrating Bane’s torso, arms, and legs – but nothing. With a swing of his hand and dainty flick of his wrist he knocked the gun out of Bullock’s hand; it slid across the ground and dropped into the Lazarus Pit a hundred feet away. As Bane hoisted Bullock off his feet, Gordon and Montoya, still running about half a block behind, hollered but refrained from firing; Batgirl and Nightwing charged at him but he quickly turned around to face them. Thrusting out his knee, Bane smiled within his mask and raised the tubby man above his head.
Alfred moved throughout the cave, feather duster in hand. Though he didn’t REALLY care, he wished that he didn’t have to bum around the cave for so long. It got boring. I mean, with everyone out all night fighting – well – whomever, it got really lonely after a while. Perhaps if things die down after sunrise, another trip for diplomatic reasons to Harvey Dent in City Hall would be in order. Perhaps. He couldn’t go against Master Bruce’s wishes so easily – besides, his place was in the cave. God, that sounded neglectful. Alfred walked over to the cylindrical glass tube in the corner of Batman’s labortory and dusted it, peering thoughtfully at the woman cased within. He sighed and shook his head; this uneasy alliance between Batman and Freeze wouldn’t be able to last much longer.
“You are beaten,” Bane began, the tendons in his arms bulging through his thick, heavy skin, “now, I will break –”
“Oh, shut up.” Robin swung out of the sky and slammed his right foot hard against Bane’s solar plexis, knocking him back with a grunt. Bullock fell to the ground flat on his back and bellowed in pain. As Robin riccocheted off of Bane’s head and spun around in mid air and sent three of his own batarangs flying through the air, cutting through Bane’s venom tube and then into his back. At this point Batgirl and Nightwing both pounced on their gigantic foe, grabbing at his arms and legs. Batman began to pick himself up off the ground…
“Right this way, Victor.” The Riddler danced ahead through the dark bowels of City Hall searching for the attorney’s office; Mr. Freeze followed behind him with slow, well-thought-out footsteps. After making their way through the dark-wood labrynth, the Riddler presented a set of double doors to Victor and leered. One of the doors was barely hanging off its hinges. “Come come, right in here…” What was Freeze getting himself into?
“HARVEY!!!!” the Riddler bellowed; Two-Face got up from his seat next to Harley’s bed and threw Edward into the wall, pinning him there.
“We have a woman sleeping, here,” he growled, pointing in Harley’s direction. After a moment of tensing up every muscle in his face, he let Edward drop back to the ground to catch his breath. Two-Face took a few steps back and calmed himself. “What?”
“We have a visitor,” he responded. “Come on in, Victor.” Mr. Freeze slowly and gracefully entered the room with softly thudding footsteps; Two-Face took a step back and gulped. Geez, that suit was absolutely huge.
“Uhhh…” Two-Face was at a loss for words. As he stumbled for a proper greeting, Freeze cut him off.
“What do you know about my wife?”
Two-Face stared quizzically at the Riddler, then back at Freeze. “Pardon me?”
“What do YOU know about MY wife?”
“Excuse me for a moment…” Two-Face said happily, but as soon as he turned his back to Freeze and faced the Riddler, he throttled his throat and growled. “What the hell have you been telling this man???”
Gordon and Montoya made it to the scene about thirty seconds after Robin appeared. They immediately went to Bullock’s bruised body and pulled it out of the way, allowing Batman’s three younger partners to war with Bane with everything at their disposal – gas bombs, batarangs, ropes, electrical devices…anything they could literally throw at him. Noticing Batman limping now half a block away, Gordon ran over to him to make sure he was alright. “I’m alive,” was Batman’s only response.
Bane grunted and staggered back and Batgirl slung a bola around him; he wheezed as Robin drop-kicked him in the stomach; he roared from deep within his throat as Nightwing charged at him, made contact with him head first, and threw him onto the ground. Bane writhed and by tensing his muscles he tore the bola into shreds. “I’ve had enough of your acrobatics,” he said, surging his arm in the direction of the closest thing he could find – Robin’s ankle. With a grunt he quickly twisted it; Robin staggered and screamed in pain. Bane quickly got up off the ground, grabbed the Boy Wonder, and grinned. Now with this insurance, he reached back, pulled one of the embedded batarangs out of his back, and pressed it against Robin’s throat. “The Demon’s quest will NOT die,” he stammered, still citing Ra’s Al Ghul’s plan to destroy Gotham.
“Put the boy down,” Gordon commanded; he and Montoya both had their guns aimed.
“As you wish,” he grinned. He smiled down at Robin for a second and spun around once, twice, thrice…and released Robin, only to watch him arc through the air almost helplessly to land in an alleyway five blocks away.
CRASH!!!! “Whoa!” the Joker shuddered in shock, “that was TOO easy!” He darted over into the dark corner of the alley in which he was hiding and smiled. Robin’s mangled, but still conscious body lay before him, splayed about across splintered crates and puffy, soggy garbage bags. The Joker reached down for him and took his hand. “Lady luck really IS on my side tonight!” Robin stared up at him and gasped; the Joker quickly took a handkerchief out of his coat, doused it in the poisonous pollen seeping from the flower on his lapel, and pressed it against his mouth and nose. “Mmmmm, what a lovely aroma…almost as good as rubbing alcohol or rubber cement…what do you think, boy?” Robin was out like a light. “Some attention span…no more MTV for you, sonny.” The Joker took the boy’s body, stuffed it into a sac laying in the alley, and gingerly made his way home, skipping and evilly plotting along the way.
“MONSTER!” “ANIMAL!” “BASTARD!” and a number of other rather more profane expletives were hollered as Bane was under attack again; quickly, before they approached too closely, he took the batarang in his hand and threw it in Bullock’s direction; it embedded itself into his chest and Bullock collapsed back onto the ground. Montoya immediately went to her partner’s aid, and Gordon began to fire – until Nightwing jumped in the way and grabbed Bane around the neck, trying to strangle him and twist his head. As Bane reached around to toss off his attacker, Batgirl grabbed him around the waist and forced him back a few steps.
As Bane threw Nightwing away from his body, Nightwing managed to grab onto his mask to tear it right off. Bane kneed Batgirl in the gut, knocking her to the ground; Gordon continued to fire, wounds erupting all over his monstrous body but hardly slowing him. Nightwing managed to creep around him and kick his feet out from under him; Bane stumbled backwards, the thin ground cracked and broke under his feet, he lost his balance, and fell back into a chasm connecting to the Lazarus Pit. As he, for a moment, lost control of his weight and fell back, he managed to grab Nightwing’s ponytail and pulled him back with him.
“Let me get this straight, Freeze,” Two-Face carefully thought out as the Riddler listened onward, “you know where this – ‘Batcave’ is?” Freeze nodded. Two-Face laughed. “Ooohhhh this is good. This is fabulous! This is…”
“And I should care because?”
“Ahem,” Two-Face coughed, calming himself down. Riddler gave him a thumbs up. “You should care because with the five of us we’ll have the man power to retrieve your wife for you and get out of the battle unscathed.”
Freeze thought. “Five?”
“Yeah. You, both of me, Edward here, Harleen…when she wakes up, that is, and…”
The double doors burst open and wispy brown smoke floated into the room; Two-Face, Riddler, and Freeze spun around and looked out into the hallway. Before them the Scarecrow stood silently; he stepped into the room and dropped a large package on the hardwood floor, a noose slung around its neck. It was the Penguin. “There,” he said, speaking in a low moan towards Two-Face, “Now, have I proven my worth for you YET or do I have to throw this one back?”
On a rooftop across the square from City Hall, Catwoman watched, and plotted. What are those ‘Supa-Freakz’ up to now?
Nightwing managed to grab onto an outcropping as he cascaded down into the pit of despair; Bane did, too, about eight feet further down. Bane roared with each grunt, clambering for a better foothold. “This hasn’t ended yet, boy,” he groaned as he reached and grabbed Nightwing’s foot, tugging him back down. At that very moment both Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon shot over the edge of the chasm and reached down for Nightwing’s hand. “Hold on there, son,” Gordon said tensely but calmly, “we’ve got you.”
Just as they both grabbed a hand, Bane pulled back on Nightwing, nearly sending the four of them back down. Batgirl let out a whine of fear as Bane leered up towards them; his smile soon became overshadowed and reverted to a gaping gasp. Batman had managed to limp towards the edge of the chasm, batarang in his hand. He drew has hand back, smiled ever so slightly, and tossed the batarang directly at Bane’s head; it stung deep into his forehead and Bane lost his grip. He bellowed a terrified scream as gravity sucked him downwards into the darkness.
Nightwing was pulled out of the chasm and panted, catching his breath. “How is Bullock doing?” Batman asked.
“He’s going to make it, it didn’t seem to break any major arties.” Montoya sighed, “but without Thompkins here any more we have to send him back to the outside, just to make sure.”
Bullock wheezed out a chuckle, trying to refrain from speaking – but he just couldn’t help it. “Saved by my layers and layers of fat…terrific…I toldja I should never go on those diets, Commish…” he moaned.
“Don’t speak, Harvey,” Gordon commanded in a fatherly tone. “We’ll all see you on the outside when this is done.”
The sun rose about an hour later. The Batsquad and the GCPD broke, sent Bullock back to the mainland, and then started a search for Robin. He couldn’t have gotten too far in just an hour, could he?
* * * * * * * * * *
ROUND TWELVE
Kicked Off:
BANE (26.1%)
DET. HARVEY BULLOCK (15.2%)
Those whom you DID vote for, but they’re still hanging around:
THE RIDDLER (15.2%) (Yeah, he got the same as Bullock, but the coin toss was in Ed’s favour)
RENE MONTOYA (10.9%)
THE SCARECROW (8.7%)
POISON IVY (4.3%)
BATMAN (4.3%)
MR. FREEZE (4.3%)
HARLEY QUINN (4.3%)
BATGIRL (2.2%)
ROBIN (2.2%)
THE JOKER (2.2%)
And now, here’s our up-to-date list of our remaining contenders:
BATMAN
ROBIN
BATGIRL
NIGHTWING
ALFRED
COMMISSIONER GORDON
RENE MONTOYA
THE JOKER
CATWOMAN
THE RIDDLER
TWO-FACE
POISON IVY
THE SCARECROW
MR. FREEZE
HARLEY QUINN
* * * * * *
Congratulations to our subscriber at malda416@student.otago.ac.nz for winning an unedited copy of RETURN OF THE JOKER! Now don’t forget to vote, the rest of you!
E-mail juno@dccnet.com with your votes of the TWO you’d like to see cast off. Remember, we need TWO choices! (I stress that again. TWO!)
PS – Voting for this issue closes at midnight (PST) on February 16, 2001.
___________________________________________________________________
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED TRIVIA
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
This is one of my favourite sections, where I get to boggle the minds of all our readers! (Mwuhahaha!) This trivia is all animated-related in some form, and can deal with ANY aspect of the show or comics based on the show. Remember, answer the questions WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANIMATED CONTINUITY. Now have fun – let’s see how well you do! Answers are provided below.
Character stats – that’s been our theme for three issues in a row now! Good luck!
496. Selina Kyle…
A: …was once turned into a cat-mutant
B: …played a flute at band camp
C: …has never provided a voiceover in an episode she’s been in
D: …went through a costume change in the aftermath of a run-in with a cosmetics firm
E: …owns a cat named Isis, who still appeared in the animated world after the design re-vamp
497. Dick Grayson…
A: …once fought Two-Face in the Amazon
B: …once took down Mr. Haley for criminal activities
C: …is currently dating Barbara Gordon in GOTHAM ADVENTURES
D: …has the high score on the “Frogger” arcade game at the Rose Cafe
E: …hates it when he’s called “Dick”
498. Melanie Walker…
A: …is related to Grant Walker
B: …is also known as “Queen”
C: …is reformed
D: …is voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar
E: …has a double
499. Francine Langstrom…
A: …is officially known as “She-Bat”
B: …fought Batman in the heat of the summer
C: …has divorced her husband, Kirk
D: …has appeared on BATMAN BEYOND
E: …is a doctor
500. Bruce Wayne…
A: …isn’t an only child
B: …once fell face-first into his desert
C: …lives in a residence with the address “1007”
D: …witnessed the death of Arthur Reeves
E: …limps in the flashbacks in “REBIRTH”
501. Mary Dahl…
A: …has appeared in the pages of an animated comic book
B: …once played Lady Macbeth
C: …once played Juliet
D: …was known as “Virgin Mary Dahl” in her years when playing Baby-Doll on TV
E: …once tried to hook up her doll, Mr. Happy-Head, with Scarface on a blind date
502. Arthur Reeves
A: …had a run-in with the Creeper
B: …is related to Jack Ryder
C: …attended Bruce Wayne’s wedding in CHEMISTRY
D: …is currently dead
E: …was a victim of the Phantasm
503. Dana Tan…
A: …was a victim of Mr. Freeze in MELTDOWN
B: …is voiced by the same voice actor that provides the voice of Angela Chen
C: …went to elementary school with Deidra and Deilia Dennis
D: …knows that Terry’s “job” for Bruce Wayne is to “be Batman after school and on weekends.”
E: …shunned Willie Watt
504. Pamela Isley…
A: …once kissed Harvey Dent
B: …once kissed Harleen Quinzel
C: …has never had males in her ‘gang’
D: …loves beat juice
E: …is a freakin’ hypocrite because she loves plants and doesn’t want them to die, yet that’s
the only type of food she eats
505. Ira Billings…
A: …is also known as “Shriek”
B: …killed Mad Stan
C: …once caused a battle to ensue between Bruce and Terry
D: …was born in Metropolis
E: …works in Arkham Asylum
_____________________________________________________________________
AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #496: A, D
Answer to #497: A, B
Answer to #498: C, E
Answer to #499: E
Answer to #500: C, D
Answer to #501: B
Answer to #502: D, E (yep – but not in the movie)
Answer to #503: B
Answer to #504: A, C, D, E
Answer to #505: C
_____________________________________________________________________
LITTLE FACTS AND BLOOPERS
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
Here is a section that just points out various little facts and bloopers that we have noticed while watching BTAS, STAS and BEYOND countless times. If you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!
CONTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
Alas, we have nothing. Again!
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
Ditto for you guys.
____________________________________________________________________
MERCHANDISING: WHERE THE REAL BAT-CASH IS MADE
(by anyone???)
Anyone? Hellooooo? Olly olly ox ‘n’ free?
____________________________________________________________________
COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
(BATMAN BEYOND by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
(SUPERMAN ADVENTURES by Dick Grayson)
BATMAN BEYOND
ISSUE: “A Sinking Ship” (#17)
WRITTEN BY: Hilary J. Bader
PENCILS: Craig Rousseau
INKS: Rob Leigh
ISSUED: January 31, 2001 (Cover date Apr 2001)
RATING: **1/2 (out of 5 stars)
I was never a big fan of Patrick-the-Rat-Boy’s first appearance on the series, but this issue made him a little more amiable; kudos to Bader to accomplishing this. Perhaps this is can all be attributed to Patrick’s less sympathetic appearance – I mean, though he was always meant to be a sympathetic character, I always found him to be a little – excuse the pun – cheesy. Now he’s more of an all-out villain with more confidence (though still the typcial adolescent angst) and I just find him a lot more exceptable.
The story was good, too – nothing too deep, pretty much just action-oriented, but in a good way. Rousseau continues to impress me with his work on this title – the various angles from which each panel is drawn makes the issue a fun and exciting read. (Not only that, but any time the Batsuit is torn to shreds and its interior circuits and such are revealed, it just looks really cool.)
Aside from the obvious similarities with the Ratcatcher in the mainstream, I see Patrick as a future version of the pre-“reformed” Penguin – he lives in the sewers, lives with thousands of animal followers, and looks like an animal himself. Perhaps this similarity can be touched upon in future stories – maybe we can finally see whatever came of the Penguin since the original series, huh? Just a thought. Thanks for an enganging read!
;-Y
______________________________________________________________
COMIC SCHEDULES & COVERING THE BASICS
This section gives a little bit more in-depth look into each monthly issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and BATMAN BEYOND. Below each comic listing is a link to the cover of that comic. TALK ABOUT SERVICE!
The price for any of these issues, unless otherwise posted, is $1.99 in the US and…grrrrr…a whopping $3.25 (or higher) in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the “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 #36
March 7th
Synopsis: Superman is tracking down a Metropolis mobster who’s hiding out in Gotham, but he needs the help of Gotham’s hometown hero on his search!
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages249711.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH:
April 4th.
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry Beatty; cover by Bob Smith and Beatty While attempting to save a damsel in distress, Batman finds himself facing the Joker and the Penguin. But something is not quite right…because Batman is missing! Robin and Nightwing cannot find their mentor anywhere and they fear the worst. Will Batman face defeat before Robin and Nightwing can uncover his whereabouts? All is not what it seems in this issue!
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Apr04/bmga37.html
BATMAN BEYOND #18
February 28th
Synopsis: With the Stalker’s help, Blight returns to terrorize Future Gotham.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0011/14/BB18.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH:
March 28th
Written by Hilary Bader; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Brian Stelfreeze Ma Mayhem’s boys, Carl and Slim, have just busted their dear old Ma out of jail so they can spend some time with her – oh, and perhaps plan a kidnapping or two! This dysfunctional family is up to no good, and it`s up to Batman to put an end to their family reunion!
_____________________________________________________________________
NEWS AND RUMORS
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-The following artists are selling artwork on eBay. The following are their names and Seller ID’s:
Terry Beatty: beatty@machlink.com
Craig Rousseau: cerousseau
Tim Levins: tlevins
Min S. Ku: min3000gt
ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS, STAS, BEYOND)
-BATMAN BEYOND airs at 11:30 am on Saturdays through February 2001.
-For screen shots from the episode “Curse of the Kobra”, go here:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0102/02/index.htm
-Be a sport and go sign the following petition to get episodes of BTAS released on DVD!
http://www.123petitions.com/cgi-bin/system/sign1.cgi?id=bbeyond@yahoo.com$8
-Also, we have a petition you could sign if you’d like to see BATMAN BEYOND move over to the
Cartoon Network:
http://www.123petitions.com/sign.cgi?id=SatrinnZ@aol.com$3
-It looks doubtful that BATMAN BEYOND will be renewed for the 2001/2002 season, but it will remain on the WB in reruns for another year.
-The JLA series is official and due out by this fall on the Cartoon Network! Check out the details here:
http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=256877
-Rich Fogel wrote the pilot episode for the JLA series; Stan Berkowitz is also on board as a writer. Also on board are Bruce Timm, Glen Murakami, and Curt Geda.
-Kevin Conroy is the only voice confirmed for the JLA series; he is Batman, of course. Tim Daly is not returning as Superman, however, as he is busy working on the CBS live-action series, “The Fugitive”.
-JLA story-arcs are likely to last two or three episodes a piece.
-The first story of the series revolves around Green Lanter John Stewart, which is based on an old Hal Jordon story where he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, leading to chaos.
ANIMATED COMICS
-In a chat conducted with Tim Levins, he has confirmed that the following villains will all be showing up in GOTHAM ADVENTURES over the next few issues: the Joker and the Penguin (), Talia, the Riddler, the Mad Hatter (finally!) and a solo Harley story.
-Word has it that in the near future SUPERMAN ADVENTURES may be cancelled; apparently GOTHAM ADVENTURES may wind up on the chopping block, too – by . (Say it isn’t so!) This has been brought to us by the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #36
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry Beatty; cover by Bob Smith and Beatty Guest-starring Superman! The Man of Steel is tracking down a Metropolis mobster who`s hiding out in Gotham, but he needs the help of Gotham`s hometown hero on his search! Besides, only Batman knows where to get the best Italian food in Gotham at 4 a.m.!
Ships March 7, 2001.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Mar07/covers/down/dbmga36.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #37
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry Beatty; cover by Bob Smith and Beatty In stores April 4. While attempting to save a damsel in distress, Batman finds himself facing the Joker and the Penguin. But something is not quite right…because Batman is missing! Robin and Nightwing cannot find their mentor anywhere and they fear the worst. Will Batman face defeat before Robin and Nightwing can uncover his whereabouts? All is not what it seems in this issue!
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Apr04/bmga37.html
-BATMAN BEYOND #19
Written by Hilary Bader; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Brian Stelfreeze Ma Mayhem`s boys, Carl and Slim, have just busted their dear old Ma out of jail so they can spend some time with her – oh, and perhaps plan a kidnapping or two! This dysfunctional family is up to no good, and it`s up to Batman to put an end to their family reunion!
Ships March 28, 2001.
-BATMAN BEYOND #20
Written by Jason Hernandez-Rosenblatt; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Brian
Stelfreeze
Terry comes across a childhood friend who has started to run with the wrong crowd, specifically the gang known as the Jokerz. Can Terry keep his old friend from going down the wrong path and beginning a life of crime — or is this a job for Batman?
FC, 32 pg. $1.99
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages256686.jpg
OTHER COMICS
-Greg Rucka says that in May, June, and July, a 3-part Mad Hatter story will be featured in one of the Batman titles (I presume in ‘TEC, written by Rucka himself).
-Ed Brubaker is writing a ‘TEC back-up story featuring Catwoman, prior to her series’ relaunch later this year. He will also provide a “History Lesson” on new Commissioner Atkins in the coming months, too. (If only “The Jacobian” would end, already!)
-Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty have something BIG planned in a six-part miniseries they will be releasing in October…but what is it? (It looks to be Batman-related, that’s for sure!)
-Chuck Dixon is also going to write an issue of JLA (we think?) and BATGIRL #18-20.
-Dixon also confirmed that the Blue Beetle will have a large role in all of his three comics in the future, as well as this “big something”.
-LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #142 features part one of the four-part “The Demon Laughs” storyline where Ra’s Al Ghul seeks the Joker’s assistance to obliterate Batman and take over the world (and so forth).
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Apr04/covers/down/dlodk142.jpg
-BATMAN #590: the third part in the Batman/Matches Malone Vs. Scarface tale.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Apr11/covers/down/dbm590.jpg
-DETECTIVE COMICS #757: Greg Rucka and Rick Burchett pair up once again to tell a tale of Batman taking on the mob.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Apr18/covers/down/dtec757.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #16: Batman takes on a seemingly-immortal foe named “Matatoa”
-BATGIRL #15: It looks like the Joker makes an appearance in this issue – and Batgirl falls victim to him.
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages256684.jpg
-CATWOMAN #93: Catwoman and the Scarecrow clash again
http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages256688.jpg
-HARLEY QUINN #6, Cover:
http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Mar14/covers/down/dhrly6.jpg
-HARLEY QUINN #7: Harley and the Quintettes vs. the Riddler and his gang!
-The Rucka/Loeb Detective Comics/Superman crossover is described as this:
Batman returns to terrorize President Lex Luthor, demanding he hand over the Kryptonite Ring in SUPERMAN #168 (due out March 7). In DETECTIVE COMICS #756 (due out March 21), Lois Lane enlists in Batman’s help to continue with his quest, but Superman stands in his way.
Cover for SUPERMAN #168: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages249720.jpg
Cover for ‘TEC #765: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages249707.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #15: Poison Ivy escapes Arkham and heads for a “Save the Rainforest” benefit where she decides to take a few hostages – including Robin`s father, Jack Drake! When Batman and Robin arrive, they find the hostages now under Ivy`s control — and ordered by Ivy to attack!
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages249708.jpg
-The fifth and final tradepaperback reprinting the NO MAN’S LAND saga (featuring the entrance of Lex Luthor and rampage of the Joker in SHELLGAME and ENDGAME) will be available in March 2001.
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages249715.jpg
MOVIES
-For videos of the cut scenes from the edited ROTJ video, go here:
http://4colorreview.simplenet.com/reviews/return_of_the_joker/return_of_the_joker.shtml
-Paul Dini is pondering ideas for a second BATMAN BEYOND direct-to-video movie, but nothing, repeat, NOTHING has been greenlit by the studio just yet.
*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-Darren Aronofsky has just confirmed that official, proper work has begun on Batman 5.
-YEAR ONE will be set in the 1970’s.
-Reports by the Australian magazine FILMINK state that Nicolas Cage is up for the role of Bruce Wayne.
-Antonio Sabato, Jr., has announced that he would love to play Batman in a movie. Read the article here: http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=257865#
-The Internet Movie Database has opened up a page on BATMAN: YEAR ONE.
-Two names are being thrown about as being offered the role of the young Bruce Wayne/Batman for Aronofsky’s YEAR ONE movie: Jared Leto and Aaron Eckhart.
-Chris O’Donnell has stated he will not appear in another Bat-film as Robin.
-Jack Nicholson IS still interested in doing another Bat-film if he were ever asked by the WB, who can’t seem to get around the fact that his character died in the first movie.
-Read a new interview with Darren Aronofsky here:
http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=248753
-The WB is starting to warm up to the idea of a Bat-flick again. Read the article, found here:
http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6595,93617,00.html
-Bill Ramey of the Batman On Film site reiterates on the latest casting rumor to the BATMAN: YEAR ONE movie:
“A possible clarification of that Aaron Eckhart news that surfaced a week or so ago. I put the rumor up to one of my sources last week, and he just got around to firing an email back to me over night. Anyway, while he wouldn`t, or couldn`t, confirm or deny the rumor, he says that it is very possible that Aronofsky would go with someone in that mode. He continued that even though it is “year one” of The Batman, it doesn`t mean that we are going to get a super young Bruce Wayne. The actor chosen could well be in his late 20`s or early 30`s. He reminded me that Aronofsky has been quoted as saying “this will not be teen Batman,” and that he had not decided just how old Wayne would be in the film. He further mentioned that he had heard that with the live-action BATMAN BEYOND having a young Batman, the people behind YEAR ONE may avoid any similarites.”
*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-Paul Dini is currently writing his first draft for the live-action Batman Beyond film.
*BATMAN BEYOND: THE FOURTH ANIMATED MOVIE
-A confidential source brings us this, via THE WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE:
I can’t tell you where I got this. But the next Batman Beyond cartoon will be a movie. This will be the last of Batman Beyond cartoon. There’s a BIG chance their will be another season. But DON’T COUNT on it. The next animated movie might go to theaters! Not a VHS/DVD release like ROTJ. This is will be the final episode movie that wraps every thing up. All those loose ends from both Bruce’s past and Terry will be wrapped up. This will also be the last story of a one of the world’s greatest superheroes.
*CATWOMAN
-Yep, you heard it! A new script for the long-procrastinated CATWOMAN movie has surfaced with a Nov 2000 cover date.
-Batman has yet to officially have a cameo appearance.
-It looks like this Catwoman won’t even be named Selina Kyle…what’s up with that?
LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-Remember the WB show based on Clark Kent’s teen life that was going to be made? It still is – and they’ve officially titled it “Smallville”. The lead role of the 15 year old Clark will be played by Tom Welling; the WB has already order 13 episodes of the series for the Fall of 2001.
For some pictures of welling, check here:
http://www.louisa-models.com/sed_cards_men/tom_welling.htm
-In related news, Kristin Kruek has been pegged to play Lana. For a pic of her, go here:
http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/SmilinJackRuby/Reviews/SmilinJackRubyReviews258324.jpg
-Clark will have a run-in with Lex Luthor in the pilot episode.
-Proudction of this series is set to begin in April.
EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-The eighth GOTHAM GIRLS webisode entitled “Three Babes” (it’s a Goldilocks parody) can be found at http://www.gothamgirls.com
-The ninth GOTHAM GIRLS webisode entitled “Lady X” can also be seen. It features…get this…all the gals in the sauna. Yeah. Might as well go take a look, huh?
TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-It looks like a new line of Batman figures (non-animated) has come out. The “WORLD OF BATMAN” line may just be a Wal-Mart exclusive, but it’s still interesting nonetheless. Here’s a picture of a “Hover Jet” Batman and a “Plasma Glow” Joker figure from that line:
http://www.stamler.net/ebay2001/hjbatman.JPG
http://www.stamler.net/ebay2001/pgjoker.JPG
-WARNER BROS. HOME VIDEO had this to say about episodes of BTAS being released on DVD:
“Don’t be surprised to see some DVDs and VHSs containing episodes and new (!) material when the next BATMAN film is released.”
-Two prints by ALEX ROSS will be out for sale by DC Direct on March 7, 2001. One will be the picture seen on the cover of BATMAN: HARLEY QUINN (from Aug 99), and the other will be the one used by WIZARD magazine, featuring Batman being surrounded by 10 of Arkham’s worst inmates. Both are 10″ x 13″.
-BATMAN: OVERDRIVE, the new BTAS-based game for PSX and N64, puts you in the driver’s seat of the Batmobile, Batcycle, and many other Bat-vehicles. You even get to play as any of the villains, should you desire to do so! It features (in no particular order), the Joker, Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, Clayface, Poison Ivy, the Scarecrow, Killer Croc, the Penguin, the Mad Hatter, the Ventriloquist/Scarface, Calendar Girl, Roxie Rockett, Firefly, Catwoman, and Bane. Go to the following link to see some shots of the villain lineup, some shots of Batman persuing the Joker, and the exit to the Batcave.
http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/driving/batov_uk/preview.html
-BATMAN: TOTAL CHAOS will be available for Game Boy Colour on January 18, 2001. It is based on the NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES style (BTAS), and allows you to play as either Batman or Batgirl vs. Two-Face, Bane, Poison Ivy, and the Joker (among others) over 18 levels. (Judging by the pics I’ve seen, you’ll also encounter Mr. Freeze, the Penguin, and maybe even Killer Croc.)
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)
THE KNIGHTHOOD OF THE BAT
Become a Knight Of The Bat!
The Knighthood Of The Bat started out as a simple ICQ list of Batman fans – this is all changing in 2001.
Hello, Batfans, Dave Carroll here, moderator of the BATMAN: DEFENDER OF GOTHAM website at <http://www.fandom.com/batman>, with a few questions for you. Have you wanted to be part of a larger group of Batman fans where you can voice your opinions on the latest regarding the Dark Knight? Have you always wanted to submit your own Batman art or stories for others to enjoy or check out what others fans have created?
This is your chance!
Join the Knighthood Of The Bat – Unofficial Batman Fan Club, for $10.00 a year for a U.S. membership and $15.00 a year for International memberships. Joining gets you:
· 4-issue (quarterly) subscription to The Knighthood Of The Bat Fanzine.
· Knighthood Of The Bat Screen Saver (Screensaver and wallpapers will be on a CD)
· Knighthood Of The Bat Wallpapers
You’re also entitled to submit any of your own Batman related art or stories and have them published for all to enjoy. Take part in Bat Talk, where you submit your own emails or letters sounding off on the latest Batman topics. Read the latest on Batman in the news, be it in comics, movies, or animation. You’ll also be kept up to date on upcoming comic conventions.
The goal of The Knighthood Of The Bat is the same as it has always been – to bring the Batman community closer together and unite all Batman fans worldwide.
——————————————————————————————–
If you would like to be a Knight Of The Bat print out this page and submit it to the address below with the proper payment enclosed. (Make cheques or money orders payable to Dave Carroll)
Name: ________________________________ Age: ____________Sex: _________
Street Address: ________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________ State/Province: _____________________
Country: ______________________________ Postal/Zip Code: _____________________
Birth Date: _____________________ Email Address: _________________________
ICQ#: _______________________ AOL IM Name: _________________________
Favorite Batman Genre: (Circle One) Comics Movies Animation
Favorite Batman Character: __________________________________
Favorite Batman Villain: ____________________________________
Favorite Batman Comic Book: _______________________________
Favorite Batman Movie: ____________________________________
Favorite Batman Animated TV Series: _________________________
Mail to: Knighthood Of The Bat
C/O Dave Carroll
137 Warner Street
Marietta, Ohio 45750
____________________________________________________________________
ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:
Wow, our links section has grown so big that we’ve had to eliminate it from the newsletter! Fear not, you can still find all these links at the WORLD’S FINEST NEWSPAGE, if you follow this link…that’s hypocracy for ya!
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/linkpage.htm
NEWSGROUPS
—–
news:alt.comics.batman
news:alt.animation.batman
news:alt.comics.superman
news:rec.arts.sf.superman
news:alt.tv.cartoon-network
news:rec.arts.animation
news:alt.animation.warner-bros
____________________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS, SUBMISSIONS, AND FAN-MAIL
If you have any questions, problems, links do not work, or anything else, then please e-mail this address with your problems and we’ll try to fix them as soon as possible. Also if you’d like to send any fan-mail then please send it to this address:
juno@dccnet.com
As for submissions, feel free to submit an article or opinion on anything pertaining to BTAS. Keep in mind that as the editors, we have the right to edit your submissions if we deem it necessary. Such instances would include problems with length, grammar, and language. If we do feel we must edit something, however, we will do our utmost to ensure that the opinion and the basic message of the submission does not change, as that is the most important part of any article, and everyone is entitled to it. And if you do submit something, please don’t just submit a basic review of an episode or a comic or something (because we have people writing for those purposes already) – write about an issue you’d like to discuss.
____________________________________________________________________
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES
The very kind people at TOONZONE were nice enough to give us our own little section of their huge and diverse website. The archive contains past newsletters and is semi-regularly updated with the latest one. To check it out go here:
TOONZONE’s BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/news/btan
____________________________________________________________________
LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE’S HOW!!!
For those of you who are seeing this at the WBC HOMEPAGE BTAN ARCHIVES section and want to subscribe, just follow these simple instructions:
To subscribe email juno@dccnet.com, put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, and put the e-mail address you’d like the newsletter to be sent to in the body of the message.
For more information about the newsletter just email juno@dccnet.com
Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading! Tell your friends!
-Tim TWO-FACE Leighton and Dick Grayson, editors
____________________________________________________________________
TO ALL GOOD THINGS…
…there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, jokes, reviews and other articles. We hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it! 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: Help Wanted
COMIC REVIEWS: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton, Dick Grayson
NO MAN’S ISLAND: SURVIVAL IN GOTHAM: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY: Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
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
THE CREATION OF THIS NEWSLETTER INSPIRED BY: Alan J. Porter
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane & Bill Finger (who else?)
Batman and all related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 2001.
___________________________________________________________________