Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of February 19 – March 4, 2001
Volume 4,
Rated: PG for some “low-key coarse language and occasional griping”
THIS ISSUE’S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: “HASBRO NEEDS TO MAKE BETTER BATMAN FIGURES!!!”
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
-YOU READ THE SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE? WE’VE MANAGED TO LAND AN INSIDE SCOOP AT TOY FAIR 2001 –
SCROLL DOWN TO THE EDITORIAL SECTION TO SEE WHAT’S IN STORE THIS YEAR AND WHAT OUR SCOOPER
THOUGHT!
-TERRY BEATTY AND DC EDITOR BOB SHRECK BOTH SAY THAT BEFORE RUMOURS POPPED UP ON THE NET
EARLIER THIS MONTH (such as in this newsletter), THEY HAD HEARD NOTHING OF THE POSSIBILITY OF BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES BEING CANCELLED.
-BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE REVISED RULES OF OUR ‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY! SCROLL DOWN TO JUST BELOW OUR EPISODE REVIEW FOR DETAILS!
Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton
-kinda hoping to get an even bigger voter turn-out
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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.
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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 7am (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
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 02-19-01: B-BEYOND #04 Golem
Tue 02-20-01: B-BEYOND #24 Revenant
Wed 02-21-01: B-BEYOND #18 Bloodsport
Thu 02-22-01: B-BEYOND #?? Plague
Fri 02-23-01: NONE
Sat 02-24-01: NONE
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 02-26-01: B-BEYOND #?? Big Time
Tue 02-27-01: B-BEYOND #?? Betrayal
Wed 02-28-01: B-BEYOND #11 A Touch of Curare
Thu 03-01-01: B-BEYOND #29 Final Cut
Fri 03-02-01: NONE
Sat 03-03-01: B-BEYOND #?? The Call (Pt. 1)
Sun 03-04-01: B-BEYOND #?? The Call (Pt. 1)
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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 3:40am Monday – Friday. 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 02-19-01: 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
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 02-26-01: BTAS #62 Fire from Olympus
Tue 02-27-01: BTAS #57 Shadow of the Bat (Pt. 1)
Wed 02-28-01: BTAS #61 Shadow of the Bat (Pt. 2)
Thu 03-01-01: BTAS #52 Mudslide
Fri 03-02-01: BTAS #65 The Worry Men
THE WEEK AFTER:
Mon 03-05-01: BTAS #53 Paging the Crime Doctor
Tue 03-06-01: BTAS #70 House and Garden
Wed 03-07-01: BTAS #66 Sideshow
Thu 03-08-01: BTAS #69 Avatar
Fri 03-09-01: BTAS #68 Trial
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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
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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. 2)
Story by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett
Directed by Stan Berkowitz
Animation by Koko Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Dong Yang Animation Co., Ltd.
Original airdate: November 18, 2000
My rating: ***** (Out of five stars)
(For a review of PART ONE, check out BTAN #86.)
THE CALL Part 1 is summarized in a series of flashbacks ending with Bruce arming Terry (as Batman) with a special weapon needed to fight the JLU traitor. When Batman returns to the JLU Tower, he shows league members the Batplane’s recording of the battle during which Warhawk was lost in a massive explosion. The recording shows the traitor remotely detonating the missile that Warhawk is guiding into space. The JLU members are thunderstruck and unwilling to believe the evidence in the recording. Before the members get physical with Batman, Warhawk appears and convinces them that Batman is right in naming the traitor.
When confronted, the traitor attacks all the league members and a massive fight ensues. Batman attempts to use Bruce’s secret weapon on the renegade, but delays for a fraction of a second. Batman loses his opportunity to subdue the traitor and the traitor escapes. The remaining team members conclude that the quisling fled to a secret base and Batman, aided by Bruce, leads them there.
At the secret base, the team again takes on the traitor. This time, Batman does use the secret weapon to overpower the betrayer. Once the traitor is subdued, one of the league makes telepathic contact with the traitor and discovers the reason for his strange behavior. Can Batman and the remaining league handle the “real” enemy?
GOOD POINTS:
This story was based on silver age and later comic book story lines, including the original story in The Brave and the Bold #28 (which was reprinted in The Justice League of America #39 and The Justice League of America Archives, Volume 1). Later, the enemy appeared in The Crisis on Infinite Earths #9, and The Justice League of America #189, as well as in several Secret Files and Origins and Who’s Who in the DC Universe.
Of course, in this episode, it’s the Batman team of Terry and Bruce that wins the day, a variation on the original story. But in both story lines, it’s the non-metahuman that makes the difference, not the super-powers of the Justice League.
THE CALL Part 2 also featured a flashback from a previous animated episode that brought the comic book story into the animated series setting.
The fight scenes were well staged. Each combatant fought using his or her particular fighting style. Some of the fights were fought outside in various climates and also under water. These elements and scenes were also nicely rendered.
In one scene, Bruce asks why Terry delayed in using the special weapon on the traitor. Terry’s response is priceless. The camera quickly moves to Bruce, back in the Batcave, with the barest hint of a smile on his face.
Batman is treated like a kid and an amateur by the JLU, pretty much the same way that Bruce treated and sometimes still treats him. Even the child Green Lantern seems to be more experienced than this Batman is, as is evidenced in the scene involving little blue pellets.
The last scene in the episode has Superman offering Batman a permanent place in the JLU. Barda chimes in that it would put this Batman one up on the original, since he was generally a part-time member only. Superman adds that the previous Batman was never really much of a joiner. Then Batman walks away saying “Maybe he and I have something in common after all.” Superman smiles and responds “More than you think, son. More than you think.”
BAD POINTS:
Unfortunately, no additional information was given on the backgrounds of any of the JLU members. Time constraints and the fact that those details were not integral to the story provide the justification for this omission. Perhaps in a future Batman Beyond episode (sadly, highly unlikely!) or a future Batman Beyond comic story (please!), this information could be supplied.
While not really a bad point, one issue must be addressed. A few comments have been seen on various boards and newsgroups about the contrived nature of having Superman call on Batman to find the traitor. Having an outsider investigate a problem within the JLU made good sense. Even the traitor would have valued Batman’s detective, planning, and attack skills and bringing him over to the “bad guys” would have seriously crippled any resistance the JLU could mount.
While the point could be made that the JLU didn’t mount much resistance to the villain once discovered, that too, is part of the original story.
Finally, apologies if this review was so vague as to be vacuous, any more detailed information would have severely spoiled the story and revealed the identity of the villain for those that haven’t watched it yet. For those that have, it is hoped that having watched the episode, the somewhat veiled comments made here would be understood.
Reviewed by Zanna
(Zanna_Z@NOSPAMyahoo.com remove NOSPAM to email)
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EDITORIAL
(by Marc Rosenzweig)
REPORT FROM TOY FAIR 2001 in GOTHAM CITY
HASBRO has done it again! For those of you readers out there that have a thing for the action figures, GET READY!
The newest line of Batman figures has shipped and is probably being packed out at your favorite toy stores as you are reading this. Due to some poor business decisions over the last couple of years (Hasbro Interactive, but you didn’t hear it from me), the “Powers That Be” at Hasbro Corporate have had to cut several corners (they even had to lay off a ton of staff and close the Cincinnati office). The last 4 Boy-Toy Assortments for Batman (Batman the New Adventures: Mission Masters, Batman Beyond, BB: Batlink, and JLA series) have all been colminated under one banner…
BATMAN: MISSION MASTERS 3
Forget all the other lines you have been collecting, they don’t exist any more. All the Batmans you will ever want to collect are in this new assortment. They even are throwing in a re-painted animated Clark/Superman fig. The sculpting on the newer figs are incredible.Although the company did cheese out. With the first assortment release by Hasbro are re-paints – they call it “NEW DECO”, I call it being cheap and an insult to die-hard toy collectors.
CLARK KENT:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/ClarkKent.jpg
The last five figures from the original MISSION MASTERS ANIMATED collection were put in the new MM3 packaging. KNIGHT ASSAULT BATMAN with glider and Batarang Claw, GROUND PURSUIT BATMAN with his all-terrain Batsled with Batarang, INFERNO EXTINCTION BATMAN with high-tech rescue pack and extinguisher, and MOUNTAIN PURSUIT BATMAN with his launching Batarang hook.
ANIMATED FIGURES:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Animated1.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Animated2.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Animated3.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Animated4.jpg
There will be 16 new figures in this collection (this includes the NEW DECO animated set) over the next year. The figs will be from all four lines, each in their respective various styling. Included is the ANTI-VIRUS BRUCE WAYNE figure (my absolute fave!). This is a Bruce Wayne head on a Batman-costumed (JLA style) sculpted body. Bruce comes with a neon yellow translucent plastic mask that fits nicely over his head. The “utility belt” accessory for this fig is a little too big to fold down into any individual pouch. The electronic backpack style weapon encircles Batman in a wall of fire. When depressing the button on the backpack, the fire ring circles around Batman as it is meant to melt away his nemesis, VIRUS ATTACK MR. FREEZE (he lost his head on this one!). As this Mr. Freeze heads up the villains, actually he is the only villain in this year’s assortment. Our icy foe is a step up from the last animated Mr. Freeze where his head detaches from the suit & walks around on an arachnid like robot taken directly from the New Animated Series as he is depicted in COLD COMFORT. This new Arachni-Freeze is larger than all the figures and is nothing more than just a BIG UGLY HEAD!
ANTI-VIRUS BRUCE WAYNE:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/BW_1.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/BW_2.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/BW_3.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/BW_4.jpg
ANTI-VIRUS MR. FREEZE:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Frz_1.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Frz_2.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Frz_3.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/Frz_4.jpg
The detail on this LONELY villain’s puss is reminiscent of the cartoon style but with more detail added to highlight his expressive disdain for becoming less than whole. With his robotic tentacles as his only means of mobility and being confined to his temperature-controlled dome for all eternity would make me angry as well.
Now lets not forget our favorite new Batman, Terry McGinnis. This assortment does not leave him out by any means. The most articulated figure in this grouping has to be the FIRE WING BATMAN. With ankle joints for that great posability in simulating flight action, this figure’s wings resemble BB’s current wing style. Except this set of wings has two leaflets on each side of his back similar to a wasp’s double-wing appearance. Terry’s wings are brightly coloured in an orange-yellow flame look. Hence the name “Fire Wing”. Not to be left out is the FREESTYLE SKATE Batman (BB). No joke, Terry in suit on a skateboard. I guess Hasbro is trying to cash in on the X-games popularity. What could we see next? Terry on a futuristic style BMX bike? Only the Toy-Gods know for sure!
ASSAULT CAPE BATMAN:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/AssCape_1.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/AssCape_2.jpg
FIRE WING BATMAN:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/BatmanBeyond.jpg
As I mentioned earlier, the Hasbro group rounds out this MOSTLY ALL Batman assortment with an
animated Superman/Clark Kent figure to try to balance out the assortments. On a personal note,
I would have preferred to see more of the BB villains. How cool would it be to have a TERMINAL
figure or how about a SPELLBINDER? Last year Hasbro was suppose to release a STALKER figure but
I have not seen one anywhere. If you have some insight to this figure, please let me know! In
the mean while, for all you action figure customizers, it looks like we wont have any more
villains to look for as the Warner Bro’s animation studios gear up for the new ANIMATED J.L.A.
and as rumors abound, a LEGION OF SUPER HEROES ANIMATED SERIES will be taking Terry & Bruce’s
place.
For a complete listing of the soon to be released figures, read on and happy toy hunting!
R.A.M. BAT BATMAN:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/RAM_1.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/RAM_2.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/RAM_3.jpg
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/RAM_4.jpg
For links to pics of all the figs, go here:
http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/btantoys.html
SKU 64115 BATMAN BASIC FIGURE ASSORTMENT:
Kight Assault Batman (BTNA re-paint)
Ground Pursuit Batman (BTNA re-paint)
Anti-Blaze Batman (BTNA re-paint)
Mountain Pursuit Batman (BTNA re-paint)
Sky Attack Batman (BTNA re-paint)
Virus Attack Mr. Freeze (twist on the theme)
Gotham Crusader Batman
Highwire Zip-Line Batman
Capture Cape Batman (BB blk & silver fig w/ great Silver inside-Black outside cape
Virus Delete Batman (BB Yellow fig)
Superman/Clark Kent (Re-Deco of Animated CK/Supes!)
SKU 64485 BATMAN DELUXE FIGURE ASSORTMENT:
Freestyle Skate Batman (BB on a skateboard)
Electric Anti-virus Bruce Wayne (JLA style BW)
Fire Wing Batman (BB w/ cool wings extra jointed figure)
SKU 64495 ELECTRONIC BATMAN MEGA FIGURE ASSORTMENT:
Electronic R.A.M. BAT Batman
Electronic R.A.M. BAT Batman Re-Deco (same fig as above, new colors)
Hasbro’s own descriptions of their product line for everyone’s review (referanced from media website)
link: http://media.hasbro.com/release.cfm?release=4
RELEASE DATES:
February, 2001: VIRUS ATTACK MR. FREEZE with arachnotech assault module, SKY ATTACK BATMAN with ultrasonic blastwing backpack.
March, 2001: GOTHAM CRUSADER BATMAN with battle shield launcher, and QUICK ATTACK BATMAN with Batarang launcher.
July, 2001: HIGHWIRE ZIP-LINE BATMAN with zip-line attack, CAPTURE CAPE BATMAN with detachable anti-villain cape, SUPERMAN with quick-change ability, and VIRUS DELETE BATMAN with a Circuit-Tech Heat Blaster.
Mission Masters 3 Deluxe Action Figures (Approximate Retail Price Each: $10.99)
Deluxe features and crime-fighting weapons ratchet the action up a few notches! FREESTYLE SKATE BATMAN rides in on spring-loaded skateboard with firing missile, while electronic ANTI-VIRUS BRUCE WAYNE dons an awesome netshredder suit to enter the cyberworld in pursuit of Mr Freeze. FIREWING BATMAN suits up in the high-speed Inferno Wing assault pack armed with heat-dispensing charges.
AVAILABILITY:
NOW – Freestyle Skate Batman, Plugged-In Bruce Wayne
APRIL – Firewing Batman.
Electronic Mission Masters 3 Mega Action Figures (Approximate Retail Price Each: $15.99)
Batman is charged with protecting Gotham City from the latest criminal tool – computer technology. High-tech crime demands a high-tech solution: R.A.M. BAT BATMAN, who creates the Ramlink virtual robot mechsuit with wildfire launcher. R.A.M. BAT BATMAN has electronic sounds with Batman’s voice and battle sounds. Also comes in two battle colors.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Due to 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. (NOTE: It can be completely uncensored, positive OR negative, though any coarse language will be bleeped out. We want this to be a no-holds-barred column!)
“Dear BTAN Crew,
What are you doing? Why are you ruining the futures of our shows! First WB ditches Batman and Superman, and now possibly Batman Beyond! Could you guys kick us in the gut anymore? Dammit folks! Your newsleter is dooming the futre of our shows by just exisitng, plus your material isso shi**y! Thanx for dooming us fans, you retards!
signed
‘anonymous’
* * * * * *
TWO-FACE’S SIDE OF THE COIN
I usually try to stray away from outright negative messages like this, but I just couldn’t help it – I just had a good laugh. So, Anne Onymous, I must say that I can relate to your plight – I, too, am upset that BTAS and STAS have already been put on indefinite hiatus – and, to a lesser extent, BATMAN BEYOND, but you needn’t take out your aggression on us. Take it out on the WB for not letting these great shows reach their full potential – I mean, Superman and Batman Beyond have only half the episodes BTAS did (though in my opinion, they’re not as good on the whole). It’s all about the money. WB abandonned their superhero entourage in favour of Pokemon, a show which they didn’t even produce themselves; they’re just cashing in on a fad. Of course, this fad is on the outs, but the WB is gonna run this baby into the ground.
You can also blame HASBRO for their recent toylines. Though the WB respected these series’ and allowed them to provide quality, thought-provoking episodes, they were cut off prematurely merely because they were deemed as unprofitable. Hmmm. Could this have any connection with the fact that kids and parents can get sick of buying all these god-awful Batman variant action figures? There is absolutely no diversity – just look at the BATMAN BEYOND line. There were about four villain figures made (Blight, J-Man, a Jokerz two-pack, and an unreleased Stalker) which is fine, but compared to literally two dozen (or more) Batman variants, it really gets tiring! Who wants to buy this? I’m a die-hard collector and I stay away from most of these new figures like the plague. (And a plague is a bad thing).
As for how we here at BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER are to blame, I laugh at you. Perhaps my ego is a tad out of whack here, but I’d think that this newsletter, among other things, allows these cancelled series’ to be kept alive in the hearts of fans, just as many other things do, such as many of our personal webpages, fan-forums, and so forth.
Now if anyone can explain how our lovely anonymous writer came to the conclusion that we here at BTAN have contributed to the downfall of any of these animated series’, please, enlighten us!
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‘RETURN OF THE JOKER’ GIVEAWAY
WE NOW HAVE REVISED RULES! READ BELOW FOR MORE!
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!
You may vote for NO MAN’S ISLAND as often as you like, and are eligible to win once within each round.
If the selected winner for whatever reason declines, the will be another draw for that same week. 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.)
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NO MAN’S ISLAND
ROUND THIRTEEN
(the SURVIVOR rip-off…erm…homage)
(by Tim “TWO-FACE” Leighton)
The Batsquad is searching for Robin; an officer is down and out for the count; the “Urban Renewalist” terrorist group has reduced to one member; the Supa-Freakz refuse to die. More to come…
…A WALTZ DOWN MEMORY LANE…
A WORD FROM THE CAST-AWAYS:
BANE: “I am beaten…but far from broken.”
DET. HARVEY BULLOCK: “Ahhh, as much as I hate to desert the Commish I’m looking forward to the outside – I missed those warm, fresh donuts…mmmmmm…d’oh-nuts…”
* * * * * * * * * *
This morning Harvey Bullock’s body came ashore on our side of the river. This is what he had to say:
“The Commish and Rene are still hangin’ in there. I mean, they’re facing some pretty stiff competition in there, what, with the Joker, Two-Face, Ivy, and all those other freaks still on the loose in there. As for the Bat-Freak…no comment. So com’n, just get me to the damned hospital – this interview is over.”
How very sweet. We didn’t manage to get a soundbyte, but Bullock filled us in between belches and incesant whinings, saying that the remaining two members of the GCPD have not yet formally joined forces with the Batsquad; Gordon and Montoya are sticking it out on their own. Robin and Mr. Freeze are both missing, and the rest of the villains on the island are currently keeping a low profile.
“Wakey, wakey!” A slap across the face with a limp glove. “I said wake up!” And another. An eyelid fluttered open; as vision focused, a gruesome grin came into view. “Sleep well? I hope so, you’re going to need all that energy for your biiiig day!” Robin groggily gasped as the Joker bent down, gusts of humid breath blasting his face; he then groaned in pain. “Ohh, don’t groan at me – I swear, I wasn’t the one that gave you this big ol’ bump on the noggin’!” he continued, pressing his index finger deep into a lump on Robin’s brow, “I did this one.” He pointed at a welt on his arm. “Uh, yeah. So anyway, we’ve got much to do, so come on, get washed up, get dressed, and meet me back here in five, K?” Then he thought for a moment; Robin scowled internally. “Oh, right. You’re strapped down and all that. Hmmm. OK, well wait here, and I’LL be back in five, Boy Hostage.”
“No sign of Tim yet, Alfred,” Barbara said, tearing off her cowl as she entered the cave. Dick followed behind her, shaking his head solemnly. “Dad, Montoya, Dick, and I have searched everywhere, but nothing. Where’s Bruce?”
“Still resting – he’s stabalized, though. Should be a day before he’s ready to go out again. Bane certainly did beat him up pretty badly.”
At that moment Batman emerged from the shadows, pulling his cowl down over his face; Alfred ran to his side. “Sir, are you…?”
“Fine.” He looked over at Dick and Babs. “Suit up. We’re not resting until Tim is found.”
“Get that thing out of here,” Two-Face groaned, waving his hand before his plugged nose, “it’s starting to smell up the place like dead fish.” The Scarecrow carelessly tossed the Penguin’s carcass aside, out the window; his point had been made, he was worthy of being in the elite “Supa-Freakz” gang.
The Riddler looked on as Mr. Freeze began to depart from the chamber. “Follow me. It’s quite a way from here.” Oh, this was great! Finally – the location of the Batcave – revealed!
Two-Face returned to Harley’s bedside, pondering if there was any sign of her condition improving; that mishap with the fear gas a few nights before sure had set back his plans a great deal. The Scarecrow shrugged his shoulders and followed Freeze, but the Riddler stayed behind for an extra moment. “Are you coming or not, Harvey?”
“Yes, just – wait a moment. We’ll catch up with you shortly.” He mopped her brow with a handkerchief and sighed. Edward turned away, his gut wrenching; as he left the room he could swear he heard a kiss be planted on Harley’s forehead. Ewww. Two-Face quickly left the room afterwards, locking the door behind him. “Stay here, stand guard. I don’t want anything happening to her.” Riddler pouted within but, noticing Two-Face’s trigger finger twitching at his side, he didn’t dare say a word.
* * * * * * * * * *
AND AFTER A THIRTEENTH ROUND OF VOTING…
“OK baby, I’m back!” The Joker danced into the room and pursed his lips together gaily, clasping his hands together. “Didja miss me?” Robin struggled within his confines, groaning through the duct tape sealed over his mouth. “Ohhhh, aren’t we a bundle of energy this evening?” He pinched his cheek, grinning. “That’s good, like I said, we have much to do! Come come come, follow me!” He unstrapped Robin from the table, grabbed him by the ankle, and yanked him off the bed; he dragged him along the floor, through a pair of curtains, and flipped a switch. Bright lights blared on and Robin gasped. “Ta da!”
A slight scratching at the window caused Harley Quinn to stir in her sleep. A soft thud errupted, and an encore of scratching followed. “…huh?….Puddin’?” She squinted her eyes as she peered through the window; the window exploded, and Harley shot up in bed, wrapping her three layers of blankets around her, screaming “EEEEP!”
“What was that???” The Riddler hollered from out in the hallway; Harley could hear he and Two-Face grunting as he fumbled with his keys to break back into her chamber. Harley, still in a state of sleepy shock, wrapped the blankets around her body and began to make her way towards the door – that is, until an array of thin vines wrapped themselves around her neck, forehead, and shoulders.
“Shhhhhhh…” a low voice said calmly.
“…Red?” Harley shuddered.
“I’m getting you outa here. You have no reason to stay with these…men.” Poison Ivy grinned as her vines hoisted Harley’s limp body out of bed and carried her towards the window. “You’re in good hands now, my love.” At that moment the door to the bed chamber slammed open, nearly falling off its hinges. Two-Face and the Riddler burst into the room, never expecting this. “Long time no see, Harvey,” Ivy taunted with a smug grin on her face, “you still look half decent, as I expected.”
Meanwhile in the foyer of City Hall, the Scarecrow and Mr. Freeze escorted each other out into the street under the cover of darkness. Both heading northbound, the Scarecrow kept to creeping through the shadows along the sidewalk while Freeze took the far bolder option and walked in the pale moonlight down the dead centre of the street. “Shouldn’t we wait for the others? What happened to the plan?” he said, twirling his walking stick behind his fingers just to busy himself. As anti-social as the Scarecrow was, Freeze was on an entirely different level altogether. “Hello?”
Surprisingly, Freeze promptly cut him off. “There is no time to wait. Nora has been waiting far too long already.” Scarecrow hit his head in angst; geez, is that all this guy ever thought about? Whining and pining for some bimbo he met in college – who needed that in their life?
“Screw your wife, I’m waiting.”
Freeze stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned around to face the Scarecrow, about ten feet behind him; he narrowed his glance through his red goggles and frowned. Bad move.
Hmmmm…now this looks interesting, Catwoman thought to herself, standing atop a skyscraper over looking the Gotham City Civic Centre. Here we have Poison Ivy (presumably) attacking City Hall and then there’s Freeze and Scarecrow heading off to find the Batcave. She thought to herself for a moment, analyzing which option whetted her appetite more. After that moment, she receded back into the shadows, her mind made up.
Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl converged at Arkham Asylum for a status report. “No sign of Tim between the amusement park and Robinson Park,” Nightwing noted.
“I’ve just covered the Upper East Side from the Robert Kane Memorial Bridge to Miller Harbour; nothing.” Batgirl continued. “Dad says he hasn’t seen him in Tricorner, either. You?”
“No.” Batman replied, obviously torn. He didn’t want it to come to this, but he had to. “We’re going to have to do a thorough search of downtown, leave absolutely no stone unturned.” Nightwing and Batgirl weren’t looking forward to it, either; Poison Ivy and Two-Face practically controlled that half of Gotham, and it boasted more supervillains per square mile than anywhere else on the island.
After a moment to catch their breath, Nightwing walked to the edge of the asylum roof, and threw his head over his shoulder. “Then let’s go.” And he dove down towards the city, with his mentor and comrade following behind him.
“Isley…” Two-Face grunted; it had been months since he’d been this close to his ex. The Riddler stood behind him, holding his question-mark cane behind his head like a baseball bat. “Leave. Now.”
“Or else?” Ivy sighed, giving Harley a loving caress, also using her body as a temporary shield.
Two-Face stood for a moment; no witty comeback. The Riddler stepped forward, “or else you’re dead!”
Ivy sighed. “For someone of YOUR considerable intelligence, that was pretty poor, Edward.” Ivy
shot an arrow out from the crossbow on her wrist; Two-Face dove out of the way and shot at Ivy’s plant monstrosities; Riddler swung his cane and deflected the arrow into the wall. Just as soon as he looked up from his miniscule triumph, he noticed a wall of green surging towards him. He swung his cane at the onslaught of vines and clicked a button as soon as they came in contact, sending an electrical shock through them.
HA! the Riddler thought. Just like in a video game.
Two-Face continued his barrage of rapid firing; the plants still sizzled from Riddler’s shock and a second later, half of the leafy appendages dropped dead. “That does it,” Ivy murmurred, squeezing a pod she pulled out of her costume; a green-brown gas exploded in the room. Two-Face quickly covered his nose and mouth with his handkerchief but the Riddler was too late; he began to cough and sputter.
Ivy jumped into the room and pounced onto Riddler; Two-Face aimed his pair of guns at her but she quickly turn about and sent two arrows into the backs of his hands. “Ah!” he bellowed in pain as he fell back. Ivy quickly turned back to Riddler, surveying her dying fauna on the floor.
“Edward, that wasn’t a very smart move of you,” she purred, caressing his head as he continued to sputter and cough in her grasp. “I honestly didn’t want it to come to this, but…” she pursed her lips and closed her eyes, wincing as she thought over what she was doing…kissing…this GEEK? “Let me PLANT one on you, big boy…”
“Wait – ” Riddler choked, trying to push the relentless Ivy away, “I have a riddle for you.” He could feel the gas wreaking havoc on his insides. Ivy was intrigued but tried to block it out of her mind; she couldn’t let her guard down for a second. “Where do carnivorous plants go when they’re hungry?”
Two-Face groaned, both in pain and the fact that even now, Edward couldn’t part with his gimmicks. Ivy smiled as she stood back, understanding. She smiled, turning to her side, directing a rather thorny looking tree/venus-fly-trap creature through the window and into the room. “I don’t know, Edward…” she spoke to her creature, “so, my arbor – eat ‘im.”
Riddler smiled wryly but sadly as he collapsed on the floor, despite his corny riddle. “Exactly.”
“Oh…god…” Two-Face gasped as he got up and left the room; for only a split second he saw the carnivorous creature pounce on Edward’s body and begin to tear off his suit; he didn’t want to stick around to see the rest.
“You better run, Harvey!” Ivy called as Two-Face cotinued to run, “because the next time I see you, you’re dead, too!” Soonafter Ivy quickly left the building with Harley in her possession; this girl had been among these men for far too long already.
Two-Face burst out of City Hall, panting heavily, clutching at his heaving chest with his bleeding hands; about two blocks ahead he saw Freeze and Scarecrow at each other’s throats. “Oh no, not you, too…”
“Never speak ill of my wife again,” Freeze said firmly, his tight grip around Scarecrow’s bony wrist. “Your demise would cause no one any distress.” Earlier-dispersed fear gas floated on the ground, obviously having no effect on Freeze through that glass dome of his.
“Oh, I’m sooooo upset,” Scarecrow cooed. Freeze tightened his grip and Scarecrow belted out in pain, falling down to his knees. “OK, OK fine, just let me go…geez!”
Two-Face caught up with them. “Get out of here, now! Ivy’s taken City Hall, Harley’s gone, and Edward’s dead. We’re getting out of here now.” Freeze and Scarecrow stared blankly. “Let’s just get to this Batcave and be done with it.”
“Geez, Ivy eh?” Scarecrow grinned. He checked his little Grim Reaper watch and sighed. “Yeah, it HAS been about a month since her last little spat, hasn’t it?” He continued, “so tell me Harv, you two dated for a while, what’s the plantlady really like?”
“Shut up,” Two-Face grunted as he left the pack, hoping his two remaining comrades would follow him; first Ivy showed up at that was bad enough, but then she took Harley from him – just when he was starting to really like her.
“Yeah, that’s the spirit,” Scarecrow grunted, catching up with the ex-DA, putting an arm on his shoulder. “Relationships are for suckers. And don’t even get me started on marriage…”
VOOOOOM!!!!!
Two-Face dove out of the way as the noise and flash of cyan light errupted behind them; still panting, he looked up to see the Scarecrow’s face and upper torso encased in a heavy block of ice. His unbalanced body teetered forward and his already bony, fragile frame shattered immediately as it hit the cold concrete. “GEEZ!!!! What the hell do you think you’re doing!??? We needed him!!!!”
Two-Face shivered as Mr. Freeze walked past his body, groaning in disgust for his brainless actions. Freeze spoke as he continued to walk away. “I sincerely pray YOU will have more respect for my wife.”
* * * * * * * * * *
LUCKY ROUND THIRTEEN
Kicked Off:
THE SCARECROW (22.7%)
THE RIDDLER (21.2%)
Those whom you DID vote for, but they’re still hanging around:
RENE MONTOYA (19.7%)
POISON IVY (7.6%)
BATGIRL (6.1%)
CATWOMAN (4.5%)
BATMAN (4.5%)
TWO-FACE (3.0%)
MR. FREEZE (3.0%)
ROBIN (3.0%)
NIGHTWING (1.5%)
COMMISSIONER GORDON (1.5%)
THE JOKER (1.5%)
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
TWO-FACE
POISON IVY
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 March 2, 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.
Did you know that there are actually more than 85 “old style” BTAS episodes? There are – there are actually 86. I have recently just discovered the Sega CD BTAS video game and on that CD, there is a 15-20 minute episode written especially for the video game! Cool huh? This is the subject of our shortened trivia section this week.
506. Which of the following heroes was captured by the Riddler in the BTAS episode specially produced for the BTAS Sega CD video game?
A: Robin (Dick)
B: Robin (Tim)
C: Batgirl
D: Commissioner Gordon
E: Summer Gleason
507. Which of the following villains appeared in the same “episode”?
A: The Joker
B: Clayface
C: Two-Face
D: Mr. Freeze
E: Rupert Thorne
508. Which of the following villains was set to appear, but, according to the BATMAN: ANIMATED book, was cut due to space?
A: Poison Ivy
B: The Penguin
C: The Scarecrow
D: Harley Quinn
E: Man-Bat
509. When Batman goes at a villain with an axe, where in Gotham City is he?
Answer: ______________
510. In the instruction manual, whose name is mispelled more than once?
Answer: ______________
_____________________________________________________________________
AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #506: D
Answer to #507: A, B, E
Answer to #508: B
Answer to #509: Gotham Federal Bank
Answer to #510: Rupert Thorne (it’s spelled Rupert “THORN”)
_____________________________________________________________________
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:
(by “The Phantom Nuisance”)
1) In the comic adaptation of ROTJ they have mixed both the uncut and cut versions. This results in the edited ending of the flashback (Joker getting electrocuted) but later when talking in the Batcave Bruce tells Terry that Robin ‘did shoot him (the Joker)’
____________________________________________________________________
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: “Stepping Forward” (#35)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILS: Tim Levins
INKS: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: February 7, 2001 (Cover date May 2001)
RATING: ***** (out of 5 stars)
was absolutely amazing! I know I’ve said this about, like, the last six or seven issues of this series but I wholeheartedly mean it. This series definately deserves more recognition. It is NOT simply a “kid’s book” – though the stories and art is a lot more streamlined than the mainstream books, the themes are just as deep.
It’s great to see Bruce Wayne star in an issue instead of Batman – especially when he’s been given jury duty! Of course, he doesn’t want to – and he shouldn’t be, as he knows of the crime before hand. (I swear, admitting that he was Batman was priceless! Then again, it also shows that, after all his bending of the rules, Batman does still play by the book.)
The variation between the daytime court sessions and the night patrol with Robin made for good contrast – we see two different, yet similar opinions on the whole situation: one from Bruce, one from Batman. The manner in which he convinced the rest of the jury to unanimously vote with him and confront the criminal at the end was perfect – I think that, if Bruce’s past weren’t so tragic, he could’ve grown up to be a very successful lawyer, just as the man at the end implies. (The reference to Harvey Dent was nice, too – that’s like a whole other story Peterson can write a couple issues down the line!)
This issue was absolute perfection, from Peterson’s terrifically deep but simple story to Levins’ and Beatty’s artwork. Don’t change a thing with this title, guys – don’t mess with something this good!
;-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
-HBO will show 1966’s Batman movie twice in March: on Thursday, March 1 at 6:15 a.m. (ET) and
on Monday, March 12 at 6:45 a.m.
ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS, STAS, BEYOND, JLA)
-BATMAN BEYOND airs at 11:30 am on Saturdays through February 2001.
-BATMAN BEYOND moves to a new weekday timeslot on KidsWB – 7am.
-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
-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.
-Each episode is one hour long; 26 have been ordered for the first season. Whoa! That’s a helluva lot!
-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.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES will not be cancelled as internet rumours suggested last week. Both Terry Beatty and DC Editor Bob Shreck have both confirmed this.
-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: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #38
Written by Scott Peterson; art and cover by Bob Smith and Terry Beatty
In stores May 2. Robin and Batgirl track down a ski-masked criminal who is targeting middle-aged males and sending them to the hospital. But what connection does this have to little-league hockey games?
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages260083.jpg
-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
-BATMAN BEYOND #21
Written by Hilary Bader; art by Rick Burchett and Dan Davis; cover by Brian Stelfreeze
In stores May 30. The Justice League Unlimited make their comic-book debut! One of the most popular episodes of the Batman Beyond cartoon show featured a futuristic version of the JLA – the Justice League Unlimited – and now they appear for the first time in the BATMAN BEYOND comic-book! Batman teams up with the JLU in a high-voltage adventure as they battle a new villain called Blacklight!
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages260082.jpg
OTHER COMICS
-In May, the final issue of the current CATWOMAN line comes out – .
-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).
-Chuck Dixon 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 #142-145 features a 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 of part 1: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Apr04/covers/down/dlodk142.jpg
Cover of part 2: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages260072.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.
-DETECTIVE COMICS #758: Crooked cops run amuck in Gotham this May.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/Apr18/covers/down/dtec757.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #16-17: 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!
-HARLEY QUINN #8: A plt against Harley is formed, and we learn more about her college years.-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#
-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 an interview with Darren Aronofsky here:
http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=248753
*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:
-More “Gotham Girls” episodes are on the way! Paul Dini has already scripted a Catwoman/Zatanna team-up, and it looks like Hilary Bader will be writing a number of other ones, too.
TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-Toy Fair 2001 pics from earlier this week are starting to come in. Wow, this one looks like he’s the angel of death or something, man:
http://media.hasbro.com/image_catalog.cfm?download=Batman_64495a.jpg
-For pics and info of some of the Batman: Mission Masters 3 (animated) Deluxe line, go here:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0102/12/index.htm
-A new Joker figure, entitled “Terrorcast Joker” has popped up; it’s basically a repaint of the Machine Gun Joker figure released in ’96.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=562115955
-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 later this year. 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
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FEATURED BAT-SITE FOR THIS ISSUE
(feel free to submit your own for our consideration)
???
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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
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QUESTIONS, SUBMISSIONS, AND FAN-MAIL
If you have any questions, problems, links do not work, or anything else, then please e-mail this address with your problems and we’ll try to fix them as soon as possible. Also if you’d like to send any fan-mail then please send it to this address:
juno@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.
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES
The very kind people at TOONZONE were nice enough to give us our own little section of their huge and diverse website. The 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
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LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE’S HOW!!!
For those of you who are seeing this at the WBC HOMEPAGE BTAN ARCHIVES section and want to subscribe, just follow these simple instructions:
To subscribe email juno@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
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TO ALL GOOD THINGS…
…there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, jokes, reviews and other articles. We hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it! 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, KTLA.com, 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.
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