Not enough happening!

[DisneyBoy]

I'm going to rant now: consider yourselves warned!

Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond were all awesome show of outstanding and visible quality, with large fanbases and bright futures.

Look at them now.

I keep coming to these boards everyday with the hope that I'll see a whole bunch of new threads like "New DTV B:TAS film announced!" or "Hasbro making decent toys!" or "S:TAS in reruns on YTV" or "Batman film announced!"...but day after day...all I/we end up doing is discussing what little rumours we've heard...scraping around to find some sign that our hero isn't passe...

...frankly, it depresses me.

I know we all feel that way, so I won't bore you be complaining endlessly that more isn't happening...it just bothers me that after Dini/Timm/Burnett/Walker and company doing such excellent work..it all falls by the wayside...for Pokemon or whoever else just became the "flavor of the month".

Batman: Gotham Adventures is a letdown, Birds of Prey isn't looking too great, S:TAS and SA aren't even around anymore, Hasbro is treating us with the occasionally new figure, and there doesn't seem to be much hope on the movie front. It hurts. I share your pain and value your friendship....and I hope someday the companies get off their lazy butts and milk this thing for all it's worth!

I'm going to frown now!

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Joe Wagner]

DisneyBoy I can understand your pain but I think at the same time it gives us the opportunity to look at some of the other shows that are out there. IMO Static Shock and Zeta Project have really helped ease the pain of the lacking of S:TAS, B:TAS and BB. Both of these shows have a lot of the same talent that made the originals so great. Also, we can't forget JL:TAS which has given us bits and pieces of the shared continuity and has also hinted at giving us a great Joker appearance (if it ever gets aired that is).

I do wish though that CN would air TNBA as there is still probably 15-20 episodes of this series I have never seen. In the meantime open up the TV guide and get caught up on the greatness that is Static Shock (TZP will be off the air for the immediate future). Also now is the perfect time to get caught up on the incredible Marvel toons on ABC Family on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

-Joe!

[MatchesMalone]

Yeah, I understand but also think we have quite a bit to be happy about.

I'm amazed that Hasbro continues to release new figure sculpts (even if they do force us to buy 3 repaints for each one) for a show that stopped production several years ago. How many cartoon franchises can say that? Not to mention the fact that Hasbro is doing a nine inch scale Animated Batman figure later this year. I think that rocks!! Maybe we'll even see other Animated characters in this scale later.

We've got Smallville...which I find to be excellent. Batman:Year One is on its way (as far as I know)...with Frank Miller's input no less. We also have a huge back catalog of Batman and Superman live-action and animated stuff to tide us over during these dry spells...all the way back to the 1940's as a matter of fact.


On the animated front, we are enjoying a brand, spanking new animated show featuring both Batman and Superman as well as many other characters fulfilling a fanboy's "dream." We have new animated maquettes from DC Direct and "happy meal" JL toys at our local Subway. Not to mention that more Batman DTVs should be on the way. In terms of collecting Animated memorabilia goes, there's such a plethora of stuff out there to collect that only the most "financially gifted" could posssibly have all of it. In other words, there is always one more Batman or Superman Animated item that I would like to pick up sooner or later. Also, I'm very excited about the possibility of the entire run of Batman Animated on DVD. Hey, at least they got it started...better than nothing at this point. We are just now beginning to understand how "classic" and loved the Batman Animated Series is. I feel like we are all in on the "ground floor" of a phenomenom that will go on and on for years to come.

As far as Birds of Prey goes, it's far too early to determine whether it's a success or not. I, for one, am thrilled that WB finds the Batman franchise still viable enough to attempt a weekly series in the Batman universe. I find it very cool! Next season we'll have a live-action shows in both the Superman and Batman genres. Who woulda thunk it?

Batman and Superman will be around probably for the rest of our lives and beyond. Every year their fan base grows. It may feel like a bit of a slump right now, but the best is yet to come! I really believe it.

So, DisneyBoy, turn that frown upside down. Like I always say, "If you gotta go, go with a smile."

:) :D :p :cool: :D :) :) :p :D :D :p

[DisneyBoy]

While I do agree that there are other great shows out there, I'm not really too interested in them. Static Shock and Zeta just aren't Batman and Superman. To compound the offense, I can't seem to find any good Batman or Superman stuff unless I give in to DC Mainstream, which I don't want to do. I can't see Justice League (being in Canada) unless I bug a fortune friend, and besides, the episodes I have seen (Secret Origins and Paradise Lost) while enjoyable, could have been better. I guess I'm just in a blue mood. I want what I can't have (JL toys, B:TAS toys, B:TAS and S:TAS DTVs and DVDs, etc.)

:(

Edit:

Thanks MatchesMalone, this one's for you:

:)

[Joe Wagner]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
While I do agree that there are other great shows out there, I'm not really too interested in them. Static Shock and Zeta just aren't Batman and Superman. To compound the offense, I can't seem to find any good Batman or Superman stuff unless I give in to DC Mainstream, which I don't want to do. I can't see Justice League (being in Canada) unless I bug a fortune friend, and besides, the episodes I have seen (Secret Origins and Paradise Lost) while enjoyable, could have been better. I guess I'm just in a blue mood. I want what I can't have (JL toys, B:TAS toys, B:TAS and S:TAS DTVs and DVDs, etc.)

:(

While Static and Zeta aren't Superman and Batman I do think that they have both become very enjoyable. Static has started to become a true hero and has even teamed with Batman to face off against the Joker. Zeta has a lot of the same styles as BB and has also included a couple of his villains. Also the best Superman and Batman stuff is DC mainstream and even some of these books have been disappointments lately. Truthfully though Ed McG has been great on Superman and made the book one to check out (esp with Loeb writing).

As for the JL eps - I agree a lot of them could have been better but you also haven't gotten to see the best ones yet. "Brave and the Bold" and "Legends" has been amazing and much like B:TAS has progressively gotten better as time has progressed. (Remember B:TAS premiered with "Cat and the Claw" - one of the few episodes of B:TAS that seemed to get old everytime I saw it).

I also think everyone would love to have new Superman, Batman and Batman Beyond DVD's and DTV releases.

-Joe!

[dark knight acolyte]

To some extent I agree with what you are saying, DisneyBoy. I do definitely see eye to eye with you in regards to "no new happenings" in the animated series front. I do wish Dini, Timm, and co. would get together for one last announced hurrah at the very least. Part of me even wishes they'd continue with new episodes of the animated series. Let's face it....there's so much that can be done. I never got to see the "perfect Joker" (design and character-Batman Beyond flashback, anyone?) in episode format. I never got to see Deadshot, who made an appearance in JL, in full episode format....or King Snake......or the Beast....or Black Mask....or Shiva.....all characters who could pass censorship and make a real impact on the series. I never got to see another episode devoted to Bane, an episode to really explore him. I never got to see an episode that deeply explores Catwoman/Batman's relationship and feelings. I want all of that and more....but I will say things are getting better.

Since Batman Beyond episodes' production had been halted, The Animated Series wasn't even on Cartoon Network for a period of time. At least now, it has a timeslot. Also, the release of new animated DVD's has placed these gems on our television screens in near if not full quality. JL, while not as strong as it could be, at least offers something new. So, what I'm saying I guess is....maybe the future IS looking brighter and maybe not as little is happening as we think. It still seems well....at the risk of sounding immature...*blah*. But I still think there are SOOOME new happening that have happened of late and that will continue to happen.....new DVD's if nothing else (fingers crossed).

Here's my dream. I anticipate the disagreement, so I'll say this. My reasoning here is not nearly as objective as subjective. This is just what I WANT: Once JL's meets its quota, cancel it. It's harsh, but let's face it. They know it....we know it....its known. Unless things change drastically, the show's quality could be better, and certainly is no Batman:TAS. Many of the producers left, needing a break from Batman. In time, hopefully they'll find that Batman was their bread and butter...their baby....their gem. And, hopefully, they'll make new episodes. PEOPLE WILL WATCH!...BELIEVE ME! *sigh*....fingers crossed. Really, if Timm and Dini come together and realize that an opportunity to continue a masterpiece is still here.....while the fans from its initial frenzy are still craving it....well, I think then they'll do it. We just need them to be honest with themselves. THIS IS THEIR SERIES: BATMAN. I'd love to see more.

[TuxedoKamen]

Originally posted by jjwspider


While Static and Zeta aren't Superman and Batman I do think that they have both become very enjoyable. Static has started to become a true hero and has even teamed with Batman to face off against the Joker. Zeta has a lot of the same styles as BB and has also included a couple of his villains. Also the best Superman and Batman stuff is DC mainstream and even some of these books have been disappointments lately. Truthfully though Ed McG has been great on Superman and made the book one to check out (esp with Loeb writing).


-Joe!

When did Batman team with everyone's favorite teenage sparkmaster? An episode? A fanfic? A comic? (I'm ranting now, cursing silently to myself, because there's no way I can wake up early enough on saturday to catch Static Shock. :) ) Is there an episode summary anywhere?

[jm5150bc]

Originally posted by MatchesMalone
Yeah, I understand but also think we have quite a bit to be happy about...


So, DisneyBoy, turn that frown upside down. Like I always say, "If you gotta go, go with a smile."

:) :D :p :cool: :D :) :) :p :D :D :p

I like the way you think, Matches...

The glass should be viewed as half FULL !!

We've got a vast library of existing shows that you could, for the most part, watch again and again and still enjoy 'em... whether you taped 'em or catch 'em in reruns. The Fleischer "Superman" cartoons of the 40s are still great to watch (and all available on one handy DVD, do less). "Smallville" has been excellent, "Birds of Prey" is coming for all of us "Bat-folk" (although I have my reservations about this one, I'm trying to keep an open mind).
Great JL Maquettes and Mini-Bust Statues from DC Direct are either out or headed our way... Life is pretty good !!

[GL2k2]

Ever since grade school summer has always been about improvement in some form. I will either catch up with episodes of t.v. shows I missed, or comics I missed, or something. Things have not changed.

This summer I'll be catching up on some episodes I missed of Smallville and Static Shock. I'll be taping the Incredible Hulk series and whenever they air it, Iron Man and Fantastic Four. I'll also continue going to ebay and blowing monies on finishing up my Savage Dragon (comic book) collection and continuing my DVD collection which is a never-ending adventure that I may never fully complete in my life and if I do, I'll probably die a happy man. Also as a writer, I have a crap load of editing to do on some unpublished stuff. Not to mention theater-hopping. I'll keep busy.

Besides, Disney Boy, aren't you the one who couldn't watch Ally McBeal, why don'tcha try catching up on them? That is if you can.

[Joker85]

While I would absolutely LOVE to see new BTAS or TNBA episodes, I don't think its very realistic at this time. And I don't think that JL should be canceled either. It's had some bad episodes but all shows do. I really don't think a show can be judged by its first season. Some of the greatest shows of all times had TERRIBLE first seasons, but they got better. I think given a chance, JL could get better. Of course, aside from War World and Paradise Lost, I've enjoyed JL very much. Back to the subject: I do think that some DTV Batmans would be a good idea. They have so many good possibilities. Thats why I encourage everyone to go buy SUbzero and ROTJ and Worlds Finest, so we'll get New Batman movies. As for the series itself, I think we're just gonna have to live with reruns for a while.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Well, DisneyBoy, I certainly can agree with you on some things. It's tougher to be a fan of these shows in Canada, for sure! I've seen a grand total of one episode of Superman:TAS in the past 5 years or so. (a download of "Knight Time") I haven't seen Justice League at all. (though recently, I bought the DVD, along with the new Tron DVD, but alas, my DVD player broke :() I don't have Cartoon Network. (I am a big Space Ghost fan and I also want to see Samurai Jack) YTV is still playing Batman:TAS/TNBA at 3:30AM!!! (If they were playing it at a decent time, I'd make a library for myself with the commercials cut out!) Etc...

[DisneyBoy]

Yeah, I've been taping B:TAS off YTV these past few years, but not in order or anything. I recently caught a whole bunch of episodes I hadn't seen before. They were "SideShow", "Baby Doll", "Harleyquinnade", "The Worry Men", "The Crime Doctor" and "House and Garden". It was really nice to get to see these for the first time ;) I guess I really shouldn't be complaining. Gotham Adventures still has hope at least, Justice League has renewed general interest in DC characters, and B:TAS specifically, and I have some four packs to hunt down :)

[Joe Wagner]

Originally posted by TuxedoKamen


When did Batman team with everyone's favorite teenage sparkmaster? An episode? A fanfic? A comic? (I'm ranting now, cursing silently to myself, because there's no way I can wake up early enough on saturday to catch Static Shock. :) ) Is there an episode summary anywhere?

He teamed with the Static-ed wonder on his season premeire of Static Shock! for season 2. The episode was virtually about Joker leaving Gotham and invading Dakota - allying himself as Uncle J with Kangor, Hotshot and a couple of other Static villains. Batman and a slightly older Robin tracking Joker down. In the end Static gets to save the day and finally live up to being a hero because he was nervous while around Batman.

-Joe!

[TuxedoKamen]

Originally posted by jjwspider


He teamed with the Static-ed wonder on his season premeire of Static Shock! for season 2. The episode was virtually about Joker leaving Gotham and invading Dakota - allying himself as Uncle J with Kangor, Hotshot and a couple of other Static villains. Batman and a slightly older Robin tracking Joker down. In the end Static gets to save the day and finally live up to being a hero because he was nervous while around Batman.

-Joe!

Sounds intreag...intregue....intreeg...cool. :) Slightly older Robin... I'm assuming Tim Drake, animated continuity style... I wish he had his comic costume. And I'm glad he's older. The fifteen year old Tim Drake, who has the mental aptitude to actually lead people into Battle (being the leader of Young Justice) is a lot more interesting than our little Timmy, though he's got his good points. I especially liked his behavior in No Man's Land. Very mature most of the time.
I don't suppose you could give a slightly annoying fanboy the episode title? :)

[Joe Tully]

We've got some pics in the News archives.

http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/09.jpg

http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/19.jpg

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17511&highlight=static+batman

The episode is "The Big Leagues"

[TuxedoKamen]

Originally posted by Joe Tully
We've got some pics in the News archives.

http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/09.jpg

http://news.toonzone.net/staticshock/bigleagues/19.jpg

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17511&highlight=static+batman

The episode is "The Big Leagues"

Wow. Thanks. Nice pictures. Art on Tim definately looks older. I wonder how old he's supposed to be now? And I have to finally give it up and ask, why did they change his costume? It's not the one he had during Cataclsym (sp?) and I doubt it's had time/reason to be changed in DCU continuity. Did Timm and co have a reason for this? And what's wrong with Bruce and Tim's faces? The Static Shock animation seems like it leaves out a bunch of detail, and Bruce doesn't look right, at all. Mabye I'm just too picky. :) Intresting premise though. Better than the Zeta/BB crossover, for sure.

[DisneyBoy]

Agreed: the artwork leaves something to be desired.