Batman: TAS coming to DVD

[Russkafin]

In the new issue of Wizard (#120), a fan writes in to Magic Words asking if the animated Batman series will be put out on DVD... they reply that Warner Bros. is planning to release "The Adventures of Batman and Robin" DVD collection in spring 2002!

[James Harvey]

THANK YOU LORD! THIS IS THE BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD SINCE I GOT THE JOB AS AN EDITOR! Ah man, this is such so great. Man...I'm getting all excited just thinking about it...I gotta get that issue of WIZARD now...

[Beyond Batman]

All I can say is:


YAY :D

[Frozen]

Praise be - but let's not get too excited. I for one will beleive it when I see it...

[optimal321]

Yes!!! Now i gotta get a DVD player though...

[DR.MID-NITE]

If you want your feelings known to WB. Go to the Home Theater Forum. ( www.hometheaterforum.com ) They will be hosting a chat with a dvd honcho from Warner Bros. It will be sometime in the beginning of October, I am not sure of the date.
I was planning on asking if Batman & Superman animated (& Babylon 5) would be coming to dvd. This might be a good opportunity to let them know that we want ALL Batman episodes. Not "best of's" or only "Batman & Robin" episodes.

[Bruiser]

Sweet necter of the gods -- BTAS on DVD!

DG -- let us know as soon as you've confirmed this great piece of news.

Mmmm...boxed set...how cool would that be.:D

[Shriek]

Originally posted by optimal321
Yes!!! Now i gotta get a DVD player though...

HA HA HA HA HA HA! That's funny dude. But I can't wait for them to come out either.

[James Harvey]

I am in the middle of getting it confirmed officially trough traditional means, and through my inside sources. But we should know soonn either way. Some other Batman and DVD sites are also working on this, so I'll keep ya'll posted! But I think we got a DVD collection coming out way...

[Shriek]

Inside Sources. Amazing. You are the Canadian Clark Kent. But I think someone else called you this before.

[Jokerfish]

AWESOME...but 1 question....it said "The Adventures of Batman and Robin" DVD collection in spring 2002! My only question is...how do we know this is Batman:The Animated Series? Couldnt this be just 20 or so of The Adventrues of Batman and Robin? I mean, wouldnt you think the guy would say Batman:TAS DVDs instead of "The Adventures of Batman and Robin" DVDs? I HOPE he means ALL of them including TNBA :)

[James Harvey]

No one is really sure about that. I have a gut feeling this collection will be like the VHSs that were released in 1995 and 1997, where they used BTAS episodes, but used the new intro. I know WB won't just release all 114 eps at once. It's likely this is 'Volume 1.' of the series, like their Scooby discs.

[Clayface]

Originally posted by DR.MID-NITE

I was planning on asking if Batman & Superman animated (& Babylon 5) would be coming to dvd.

I can't remember where I read it now (Previews mag maybe?), but its already been confirmed that B5 is coming to DVD.

[DR.MID-NITE]

Clayface, yes Warner has hinted that 2 of the movies were coming to dvd. It was suppose to be in Aug or Sept. But, no word since then. And no word on the rest of the episodes. So hopefully, we will get some definitive info from the them at the chat.

[Calhoun07]

I am too jaded by previous exciting announcements that went no where, and I also will believe this when I see it. I hardly consider the letters column in Wizard an official announcement.

[James Harvey]

While it's not the best place to make an announcement, alot fo special announcements have been made in the letters page that have happened. I'm optomistic that this will happen, and I know it will.

[Calhoun07]

When is truly the question, and in what format? Box set, hopefully. But I will be more excited when I see it up for sale. I've been waiting for Twin Peaks on DVD for a lot longer, and have been let down in the past. that's not to say it isn't being worked on, of course, but I question the date given for release.

[James Harvey]

It's to early to tell. I think they'll just release them like they do SCOOBY-DOO. One or two every once and while.

[Calhoun07]

Well, if they don't put them out in order, that's no biggie, just as long as they get ALL of them out on DVD. No skimping!

[James Harvey]

Yeah. I just want the episodes. As long as I get them, it'll do.

[Mr. Eye]

Originally posted by Russkafin
In the new issue of Wizard (#120), a fan writes in to Magic Words asking if the animated Batman series will be put out on DVD... they reply that Warner Bros. is planning to release "The Adventures of Batman and Robin" DVD collection in spring 2002!

How did you get your hands on the new WIZARD so early? It's supposed to come next week, no?

And not to sound pessimistic or anything, but why would such a big announecemnt be made in the letter's column of WIZARD?

Mr. Eye

[Mr. Eye]

Personnally, I hope they release the episodes in ORDER. What they could do is make three boxed sets, one with the 65 episodes (10 disc set: 8 eps. on each disc, plus the remaining ones on the other 2 with all these extras). Following that, they should release the Adventures of Batman and Robin collection, and finnally the New Batman Adventures. That would be great!

Mr. Eye

[James Harvey]

WIZARD probably doesn't consider it a big deal. Besides, the announced stuff like ongpoing HARLEY series in the letter page. But I think this is the real deal, and I'm trying my hardest to get this confirmed as soon as possible. But since it's the weekend, it may take a day or two.

[Calhoun07]

I have confidence this announcement is real, but I question the when of it all. I've seen too many good announcements for release dates change rahter easilly.

[James Harvey]

Yeah, the MASK OF ZORRO DVD keeps getting pushed back, dammit! Still, I'll be awaiting this with open arms.

[Calhoun07]

There are several DVDs that I've been waiting for that I keep hearing are in production. Twin Peaks is one, Buckaroo Banzai is another.

[James Harvey]

I'm actually awaiting the animated Spider-Man DVDs, which are in rumored production. And the long delayed MASK OF ZORRO. There is a bunch of stuff I want...

[Calhoun07]

There were several Spider Man cartoons. Which one is coming to DVD?

[Russkafin]

Mr. Eye asked.... "How did you get your hands on the new WIZARD so early? It's supposed to come next week, no?"

I get it early because I have a subscription. Here's the actual letter.
---------------
Jim,
Any chance the great minds at Warner Bros. might consider putting all the "Batman" animated episodes on one DVD collection? Thank you for your time.
Shaun Reiley
Brunssum, The Netherlands

Ask and ye shall receive: "The Adventures of Batman and Robin" are slated for a spring 2002 DVD debut courtesy of Warner Home Video. Look for a season-by-season rollout, with season one of the show (duh!) coming first.
---------------

[James Harvey]

Originally posted by calhoun07
There were several Spider Man cartoons. Which one is coming to DVD?

Universal wants to release the FOX KIDS Spider-Man cartoon from the early 90s, like what they're doing with their current X-MEN DVDs.

[James Harvey]

Originally posted by Russkafin
Mr. Eye asked.... "How did you get your hands on the new WIZARD so early? It's supposed to come next week, no?"

I get it early because I have a subscription. Here's the actual letter.
---------------
Jim,
Any chance the great minds at Warner Bros. might consider putting all the "Batman" animated episodes on one DVD collection? Thank you for your time.
Shaun Reiley
Brunssum, The Netherlands

Ask and ye shall receive: "The Adventures of Batman and Robin" are slated for a spring 2002 DVD debut courtesy of Warner Home Video. Look for a season-by-season rollout, with season one of the show (duh!) coming first.
---------------

A season by season roll out? Man - this is exactly what I was hoping they were gonna o - and it looks like we may get it!!

[DR.MID-NITE]

I hope they release the early 90's fox version of Spiderman on dvd. Also, I really hope they release ALL of the Batman animated episodes.

dickgrayson, did they give any type of timeline for a Spidey release. I figure sometime next year to cash in on the new Spidey movie.

[James Harvey]

Universal will either (if they get the liscense) release DVDs to coincide with the movie, or coincide with the DVD release. Universal released the first animated X-MEN disc to coincide with the DVD/VHS release. I bte they'll do the same again!

[Calhoun07]

Season by season should keep fanboys very happy indeed. Could it be they actually paid attention to the petitions? I think this one will sell well, and very well at that.

[James Harvey]

It definately will be very, very awesome. I'm pretty pumped to see these sets. I only wish X-MEN and SPIDER-MAN were being released like this.

[Calhoun07]

If it's as nice as the Black Adder set, we will be in for a real treat.

[James Harvey]

If it's as awesome as the DIE HEARD trilogy set, then I may cry for hours with happiness! Then again, it is WB, so they'll muck it up somehow.

[Calhoun07]

That's confidence for you! I think Warner is learing after all these years, but my only fear is that it will be like that lame Friends set. My only beef with the Friends set (not that I bought it, but I did see it at the video store I work at) is that it's a nice looking box on the outside and crapper cases inside. And that's my fear, that we waited so long for this and it will only come in crapper cases.

[James Harvey]

The crapper cases are just awful. It's hard to stack those damn things sometimes! I have to make a section especially for those damn cases. But with NEW LINE abandoning them, and TW owns them, there may be a happy ending...

[Calhoun07]

The only real happy ending would be if they replaced all our existing crapper cases with keep cases. What I hate most about the crapper cases is that after a while, they can be hard to snap back shut, and that plastic thing that's supposed to snap down just kinda swings back and forth loose.

[James Harvey]

Even if they do, I won't be buying them. I'll stick witht he cases I have no. I'm not gonna repurchase the same movie just for a better case. I just hope we get keep cases ASAP.

[Calhoun07]

I didn't mean buying them. Heck no. I meant that they should have to be forced to replace them for us, free of charge. Why not? Blockbuster can be sued because people don't like paying late fees, and movie companies can be sued for using movie reviews on posters, this would be a worthwhile lawsuit!

[James Harvey]

It would be interesting to see how'd that plays out. I just can't wait to get my grubby mits on those DVDs.

[Calhoun07]

I already told my boss at the bank that I need to go to lunch at 10am on September 25, so I can be one of the first ones at Best Buy to get the Simpsons box set. I imagine I will likely make the same request when the Batman DVDs come out!

[Mr. Eye]

Kinda off-topic. Cal, I know it says you're a banker in your profile, but you said in some of your posts that you work at a video store. Can you clear this up for me?


Mr. Eye

[James Harvey]

Cals got two jobs, like most everyone I know. I think I may ditch first class to pick up THE SIMPSONS and BATMAN. Usually, I have no classes on Tuesday, which gave me plenty of time to hit the malls and get the movies, or CDs, I wanted. Not this year...

[Calhoun07]

Yes, and I would have replied myself, Mr Eye...IF I WASN'T AT WORK TONIGHT! Oh well. yeah, it's two jobs. That's how I can afford all those wonderful toys.

[James Harvey]

With all these DVD hitting this year, it's gonna be expoensive. I wonder how big the first box set will be, of BATMAN. It is 65 episodes...and it will be big...

[Mr. Eye]

Originally posted by calhoun07
Yes, and I would have replied myself, Mr Eye...IF I WASN'T AT WORK TONIGHT! Oh well. yeah, it's two jobs. That's how I can afford all those wonderful toys.

Oh ok then. You just replied to my follow-up question too :). I WAS gonna ask you how you can afford all those DVD's and comix you buy each month..........but my question has already been answered. :)

Mr. Eye

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by DickGrayson
With all these DVD hitting this year, it's gonna be expoensive. I wonder how big the first box set will be, of BATMAN. It is 65 episodes...and it will be big...

How many episodes were in the first season?

The good news, kinda, is that there is virtually nothing coming out in the next month on DVD that I want to get. I browse the upcoming releases at the video store, and the next time I see anything I want to buy is August 21st, with Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. Til then, zip. That'll give me some good time to catch up on the DVDs I have.

[James Harvey]

The first season was 65 episodes. If they put 8 eps per disc, then it'd make a 10 disc set with extras. I wonder if they'll split up season 1 or something.

[Calhoun07]

How did they manage that? There are only 52 weeks in a year, and I thought most season orders would be for 13 or 26 episodes.

[Mr. Eye]

Originally posted by calhoun07
How did they manage that? There are only 52 weeks in a year, and I thought most season orders would be for 13 or 26 episodes.

Well it was on everyday. And the thing is they ordered 65 for the first batch. They do that a lot.

Mr. Eye

[Calhoun07]

But even if they ordered that many episodes at once, they didn't show a new episode ever week, I would imagine, and according to the Batman Animated book, the show aired over a period of two years or there abouts. So didn't they break those 65 episodes up into seasons? They didn't all air in one year.

[Mr. Eye]

Actually the first season aired in a span of around 13 months. I got this from an episode guide at pazsaz.com. I can't seem to get into the Worlds' Finest website.

Mr. Eye

[James Harvey]

Season 1 - 65 eps
Premiered September 6th, 1992 and ended on May 24th, 1993.

Season 2 - 10 eps
Premiered September 13th, 1993 and ended on May 23rd, 1994.

Season 3 - 5 eps
Premiered September 10th, 1994 and ended on November 26th, 1994

Season 4 - 5 eps
Premiered September 11th, 1995 and ended on September 15th, 1995

Season 5 - 13 eps
Premiered September 13th, 1997 and ended on July 11th, 1998

Season 6 - 11 eps
Premiered September 14th, 1998, and ended on January 16th, 1999

The first DVD will be BIG.

[DR.MID-NITE]

I really hope they do this right. I wonder if they will use the original opening for the BTAS. I hope they don't do best of's or use the same generic opening for all the episodes. I am not even concerned about extras(although, they would be nice). I just want all of them uncut and in good shape. Then I can finally get rid of my sp vhs tape copies.

[Calhoun07]

I never expect much for bonus features from a TV DVD. If they do special features, I hope they put the majority of them on one disc alone, and leave as much room for episodes. I know they could at least get 8 episodes on one DVD.

[James Harvey]

I wouldn't care if they are as bare as the X-MEN: TAS DVDs as long as I get them one way or another.