Perry White
01-20-2002, 11:56 PM
This Saturday Kids' WB! will broadcast "The Big Leagues", the season premiere episode of Static Shock. Because of guest appearances by Batman, Robin and The Joker, it is undoubtedly the most aniticipated episode in the short history of the series. Here is a synopsis of the plot:
While attempting to flee Static, a local troublemaker named Ferret is captured by the Joker and brought to his lair. Joker has decided to leave Gotham for Dakota and assemble a group of local villains to start a crime spree. Ferret refuses to join, and is given a lungful of Joker gas. Joker and his gang steal a firetruck and use it rob to a bank, leaving Ferret behind with a note reading "Missing You". Static visits Ferret at the hospital, but he's not there alone... Batman & Robin have arrived in Dakota to capture the Joker.
Toon Zone was able to obtain a screener copy of the "The Big Leagues", and we now present you with several large, clear, lightly-compressed, unbranded images from the episode:
<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor=#111111 id=AutoNumber1><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/01.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-01.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/02.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-02.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/03.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-03.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/04.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-04.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/05.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-05.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/06.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-06.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/07.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-07.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/08.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-08.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/09.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-09.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/10.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-10.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/11.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-11.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/12.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-12.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/13.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-13.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/14.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-14.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/15.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-15.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/16.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-16.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/17.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-17.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/18.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-18.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/19.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-19.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/20.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-20.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/21.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-21.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/22.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-22.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/23.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-23.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/24.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-24.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/25.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-25.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr></table>
And if that doesn't whet your appetite, here's a 30-second video clip from the episode. It's available in three different formats, one of which is bound to work for you. Please right-click on the link of your choice and save the file to your hard drive:
<a href="http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/bigleagues.rm">Real Video</a>
<a href="http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/bigleagues.avi">DivX-encoded AVI</a>
<a href="http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/bigleagues.mpg">MPEG</a>
A special screening of "The Big Leagues" was held for several members of the Toon Zone Crew, and many were kind enough to share their thoughts on this long-awaited episode.
Craig Marinaro, Toon Zone's Senior Review Guy, provides this review:
Without giving too much away, I'll say that I felt this episode did an admirable job of blending the styles of the two (very different) shows, without drastically compromising the characters or tones of either. If I were a Static fan, I might have been upset with the way he is portrayed here--as a semi-competent kid whose crimefighting duties are subservient to his efforts to impress Batman & Robin. I only saw the first three or four episodes last year, so I'm not entirely sure if this portrayal is consistent with the way the character has developed. I did feel it was very daring (and rather original) to have the main protagonist actually act his age (something teenage heroes rarely do very believably).
The writing for the 'Static' heroes and villains was as hackneyed as the other episodes I've seen, yet the dialogue from the Bat-cast seemed noticably crisper. Which leads to one of two conclusions: A) the writers are capable of much more, but the rather shallow dialogue spoken by the characters on this show is stylistically intentional; or B) the Bat-dialogue wasn't really any better, but seasoned performers Conroy, Hammill, and Eli Marienthal (the new Tim Drake--a.k.a. Hogarth in 'Iron Giant') make it sound much more convincing.
My main gripes would be the music and the animation. It seems that this series has taken to playing hip rap (or whatever it is) music under each fight scene. It's is fine for Static's fight scenes, since it fits the character, but this gimmick is also used for a Batman & Robin scene that doesn't even have Static in it. And the animation was overall fine (certainly not JL quality, but fine), although there were several blatantly jumpy movements. Joker's look is a sort of combo of the B:TAS and TNBA looks, and Robin is a bit older. Batman may be the least on-model, but never distractingly so.
In his interview with Toon Zone's Jim Harvey, Dave Chlystek said he hoped this episode would impress "fans who are jaded." I'm not sure if I'm necessarily impressed, but it was certainly of a better quality than I expected it to be, based on the impressions I've had from the few 'Static' eps I've seen (as well as the 'Zeta' / 'Batman Beyond' crossover last year). The biggest plot hole is pretty obviously that Joker has absolutely no reason to be there (Oh, I got tired of Gotham, so I decided to come to Dakota City to work with a bunch of second-rate amateurs...boy, is that Joker all over!). But once we're there and formalities are out of the way, it's pretty well-done. Probably worth checking out for 'Batman' fans not expecting anything flooring.
Here are some thoughts from Toon Zone co-founder Colin Feder:
So, the Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder are back in action... only this time they've left Gotham and tracked the Joker to quaint little Dakota City... home to it's own breed of crime, and own breed of Superhero... a teenager with a curfew, who for the most part, sits on the sidelines and watches as Batman & Robin take on the Joker.
Some negative points:
*Robin didn't work for me... the voice just wasn't right. I realize they are going with the Robin aging thing (especially with how he kept commenting that he doesn't like being called "The Boy Wonder" anymore)
*The Techno Bat Music... Blech! Did not like it one bit...
*Batman & Robin let themselves get caught too easily... They know the Joker better than that, yet they walked into Joker's trap without any suspicions
Some Positive points
*Batman didn't just let Static work, Static had to work to earn Batman's trust
*Static's version of the Bat Signal was cool,
*show didn't focus *too* heavily on the guest stars, the integration of Batman and Robin into Static's universe didn't seem too forced
*"Uncle Joker" was up to his usual antics =)
*Picture of Harley sitting on Joker's desk...too bad it wasn't the real Harl
*static attempts to drive the BatWing... doesn't that thing have a security system? heh...
Ultimately, not something I'd get up early to watch, but I would set my VCR for it
Adult Swim board moderator Joe Tully had these thoughts:
While the team-ups are thrown together quickly, that can only be expected from a half-hour show. Don't expect this to be a Batman episode; even with the guest-stars, it is still a Static Shock episode and has the tone of one. Fans will enjoy the updated design and voice of Robin. While not as good as an episode of BTAS, it is amusing. If Batman fans do not take the episode too seriously, they should enjoy it.
World's Finest and Cartoon Cartoons board moderator and long-time Bat-fan "Bird_Boy" had this to say:
This was a very enjoyable episode. At times the music didn't work (Batman-Theme is hip-hoppish in) but it didn't bother me all that much.
Seeing the "Dynamic Duo" again was great. Robin's new voice actually works, but it may take some getting used to.
Batman is usually hunched over and at times looks like a cross between Frank Millers Batman and the TAS Batman. Also, a weird thing is they used the TAS Batplane, which, although was great to see again, looked a bit weird.
Believe it or not, this episode took place mainly at night. A few early-evening scenes, but nothing major that would make a Batman fan cringe.
Overall, I suggest you check this episode out. It will be well worth your time.
"Duncanzits", another Cartoon Cartoons moderator, sez:
"The Big Leagues" was the first ever episode of "Static Shock" I had ever seen. And it reminded me of why I don't watch Kids' WB anymore. While all the clever shows moved to Cartoon Network, people are left to whine about the Kids' WB's cheese.
But everyone knows that the main draw of this episode is the appearances of Batman, Robin, and the Joker (with glimpses of Harley!). And knowing most every cartoon fan would watch "Mr. Ed" if it featured the voices from "Batman: The Animated Series", that it is not a bad gimmick. And although the plot could have been about smuggling pandas for all know, I have to agree with "The Ferret" when he says about the Joker, "This guy is totally creeping me out."
On a positive note, I think the rubbery and fluid animation of "Static Shock" would work perfectly on WBA's new "Osmosis Jones" spin-off: "Ozzie and Drix".
<table border=0 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=1 style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor=#111111 width=100% id=AutoNumber1><tr><td width=100% align=right colspan=2><p align=center><b><font face=Arial size=2>Static Shock Episode #24: "The Big Leagues"</font></b></td></tr><tr><td width=100% align=right colspan=2><p align=center><font face=Arial size=2><u><b>Credits</b></u></font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Written by</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Len Uhley</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Directed by</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>David Chlystek</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Music by</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Richard "Wolfie" Wolf</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right> </td><td width=50%> </td></tr><tr><td width=100% align=right colspan=2><p align=center><font face=Arial size=2><u><b>Voice Cast</b></u></font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Phil Lamarr as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Virgil Hawkins / Static</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Jason Marsden as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Richie Foley</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Kevin Conroy as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Batman</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Mark Hamill as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Joker</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Eli Marienthal as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Robin</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Maria Canals as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Shelley Sandoval</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Danny Cooksey as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Hotstreak</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Kevin Michael Richardson as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Kangor</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Tia Texada as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Talon</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Brian Tochi as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Shiv</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Chick Vennera as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Ferret</font></td></tr></table>
"The Big Leagues" airs this Saturday at 8:30 Eastern / 7:30 Pacific on Kids' WB!
Discuss the much anticipated episode <a href="http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17941">HERE</a>.
While attempting to flee Static, a local troublemaker named Ferret is captured by the Joker and brought to his lair. Joker has decided to leave Gotham for Dakota and assemble a group of local villains to start a crime spree. Ferret refuses to join, and is given a lungful of Joker gas. Joker and his gang steal a firetruck and use it rob to a bank, leaving Ferret behind with a note reading "Missing You". Static visits Ferret at the hospital, but he's not there alone... Batman & Robin have arrived in Dakota to capture the Joker.
Toon Zone was able to obtain a screener copy of the "The Big Leagues", and we now present you with several large, clear, lightly-compressed, unbranded images from the episode:
<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor=#111111 id=AutoNumber1><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/01.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-01.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/02.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-02.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/03.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-03.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/04.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-04.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/05.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-05.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/06.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-06.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/07.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-07.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/08.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-08.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/09.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-09.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/10.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-10.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/11.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-11.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/12.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-12.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/13.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-13.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/14.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-14.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/15.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-15.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/16.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-16.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/17.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-17.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/18.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-18.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/19.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-19.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/20.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-20.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/21.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-21.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/22.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-22.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/23.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-23.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/24.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-24.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td><td><a href=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/25.jpg target=_blank><img border=0 src=http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/t-25.jpg width=100 height=74></a></td></tr></table>
And if that doesn't whet your appetite, here's a 30-second video clip from the episode. It's available in three different formats, one of which is bound to work for you. Please right-click on the link of your choice and save the file to your hard drive:
<a href="http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/bigleagues.rm">Real Video</a>
<a href="http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/bigleagues.avi">DivX-encoded AVI</a>
<a href="http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/bigleagues.mpg">MPEG</a>
A special screening of "The Big Leagues" was held for several members of the Toon Zone Crew, and many were kind enough to share their thoughts on this long-awaited episode.
Craig Marinaro, Toon Zone's Senior Review Guy, provides this review:
Without giving too much away, I'll say that I felt this episode did an admirable job of blending the styles of the two (very different) shows, without drastically compromising the characters or tones of either. If I were a Static fan, I might have been upset with the way he is portrayed here--as a semi-competent kid whose crimefighting duties are subservient to his efforts to impress Batman & Robin. I only saw the first three or four episodes last year, so I'm not entirely sure if this portrayal is consistent with the way the character has developed. I did feel it was very daring (and rather original) to have the main protagonist actually act his age (something teenage heroes rarely do very believably).
The writing for the 'Static' heroes and villains was as hackneyed as the other episodes I've seen, yet the dialogue from the Bat-cast seemed noticably crisper. Which leads to one of two conclusions: A) the writers are capable of much more, but the rather shallow dialogue spoken by the characters on this show is stylistically intentional; or B) the Bat-dialogue wasn't really any better, but seasoned performers Conroy, Hammill, and Eli Marienthal (the new Tim Drake--a.k.a. Hogarth in 'Iron Giant') make it sound much more convincing.
My main gripes would be the music and the animation. It seems that this series has taken to playing hip rap (or whatever it is) music under each fight scene. It's is fine for Static's fight scenes, since it fits the character, but this gimmick is also used for a Batman & Robin scene that doesn't even have Static in it. And the animation was overall fine (certainly not JL quality, but fine), although there were several blatantly jumpy movements. Joker's look is a sort of combo of the B:TAS and TNBA looks, and Robin is a bit older. Batman may be the least on-model, but never distractingly so.
In his interview with Toon Zone's Jim Harvey, Dave Chlystek said he hoped this episode would impress "fans who are jaded." I'm not sure if I'm necessarily impressed, but it was certainly of a better quality than I expected it to be, based on the impressions I've had from the few 'Static' eps I've seen (as well as the 'Zeta' / 'Batman Beyond' crossover last year). The biggest plot hole is pretty obviously that Joker has absolutely no reason to be there (Oh, I got tired of Gotham, so I decided to come to Dakota City to work with a bunch of second-rate amateurs...boy, is that Joker all over!). But once we're there and formalities are out of the way, it's pretty well-done. Probably worth checking out for 'Batman' fans not expecting anything flooring.
Here are some thoughts from Toon Zone co-founder Colin Feder:
So, the Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder are back in action... only this time they've left Gotham and tracked the Joker to quaint little Dakota City... home to it's own breed of crime, and own breed of Superhero... a teenager with a curfew, who for the most part, sits on the sidelines and watches as Batman & Robin take on the Joker.
Some negative points:
*Robin didn't work for me... the voice just wasn't right. I realize they are going with the Robin aging thing (especially with how he kept commenting that he doesn't like being called "The Boy Wonder" anymore)
*The Techno Bat Music... Blech! Did not like it one bit...
*Batman & Robin let themselves get caught too easily... They know the Joker better than that, yet they walked into Joker's trap without any suspicions
Some Positive points
*Batman didn't just let Static work, Static had to work to earn Batman's trust
*Static's version of the Bat Signal was cool,
*show didn't focus *too* heavily on the guest stars, the integration of Batman and Robin into Static's universe didn't seem too forced
*"Uncle Joker" was up to his usual antics =)
*Picture of Harley sitting on Joker's desk...too bad it wasn't the real Harl
*static attempts to drive the BatWing... doesn't that thing have a security system? heh...
Ultimately, not something I'd get up early to watch, but I would set my VCR for it
Adult Swim board moderator Joe Tully had these thoughts:
While the team-ups are thrown together quickly, that can only be expected from a half-hour show. Don't expect this to be a Batman episode; even with the guest-stars, it is still a Static Shock episode and has the tone of one. Fans will enjoy the updated design and voice of Robin. While not as good as an episode of BTAS, it is amusing. If Batman fans do not take the episode too seriously, they should enjoy it.
World's Finest and Cartoon Cartoons board moderator and long-time Bat-fan "Bird_Boy" had this to say:
This was a very enjoyable episode. At times the music didn't work (Batman-Theme is hip-hoppish in) but it didn't bother me all that much.
Seeing the "Dynamic Duo" again was great. Robin's new voice actually works, but it may take some getting used to.
Batman is usually hunched over and at times looks like a cross between Frank Millers Batman and the TAS Batman. Also, a weird thing is they used the TAS Batplane, which, although was great to see again, looked a bit weird.
Believe it or not, this episode took place mainly at night. A few early-evening scenes, but nothing major that would make a Batman fan cringe.
Overall, I suggest you check this episode out. It will be well worth your time.
"Duncanzits", another Cartoon Cartoons moderator, sez:
"The Big Leagues" was the first ever episode of "Static Shock" I had ever seen. And it reminded me of why I don't watch Kids' WB anymore. While all the clever shows moved to Cartoon Network, people are left to whine about the Kids' WB's cheese.
But everyone knows that the main draw of this episode is the appearances of Batman, Robin, and the Joker (with glimpses of Harley!). And knowing most every cartoon fan would watch "Mr. Ed" if it featured the voices from "Batman: The Animated Series", that it is not a bad gimmick. And although the plot could have been about smuggling pandas for all know, I have to agree with "The Ferret" when he says about the Joker, "This guy is totally creeping me out."
On a positive note, I think the rubbery and fluid animation of "Static Shock" would work perfectly on WBA's new "Osmosis Jones" spin-off: "Ozzie and Drix".
<table border=0 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=1 style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor=#111111 width=100% id=AutoNumber1><tr><td width=100% align=right colspan=2><p align=center><b><font face=Arial size=2>Static Shock Episode #24: "The Big Leagues"</font></b></td></tr><tr><td width=100% align=right colspan=2><p align=center><font face=Arial size=2><u><b>Credits</b></u></font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Written by</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Len Uhley</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Directed by</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>David Chlystek</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Music by</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Richard "Wolfie" Wolf</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right> </td><td width=50%> </td></tr><tr><td width=100% align=right colspan=2><p align=center><font face=Arial size=2><u><b>Voice Cast</b></u></font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Phil Lamarr as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Virgil Hawkins / Static</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Jason Marsden as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Richie Foley</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Kevin Conroy as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Batman</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Mark Hamill as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Joker</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Eli Marienthal as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Robin</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Maria Canals as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Shelley Sandoval</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Danny Cooksey as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Hotstreak</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Kevin Michael Richardson as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Kangor</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Tia Texada as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Talon</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Brian Tochi as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Shiv</font></td></tr><tr><td width=50% align=right><font face=Arial size=2>Chick Vennera as</font></td><td width=50%><font face=Arial size=2>Ferret</font></td></tr></table>
"The Big Leagues" airs this Saturday at 8:30 Eastern / 7:30 Pacific on Kids' WB!
Discuss the much anticipated episode <a href="http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17941">HERE</a>.