When 'Batman Beyond' First Premiered

[James Harvey]

With all the current talk over new animated series coming our way, and being pleased or upset about it, it just got me thinking back to about five years ago.

In the summer of 1998, fans were enjoying the new animated adventures of Batman and Superman. They were hit shows on Kids'WB! and airing about six hours a week on the network. It was in the summer when fans were hit with a curveball, as the network, alongside Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, announced a new animated Batman series that would take place forty years in the future and start a 17 year old hero. The show was called Batman Tomorrow, and it featured a new Batman by the name of Terry McGavin, aided by Bruce Wayne. Kids'WB! released the first image of the series along with the announcement.


http://wf.toonzone.net/jimharvey/1stbbimage.jpg

Based on this rathar horrible image (sorry, best quality pic I could find), some fans were worried, and others were excited. On messages across the internet, including the much missed "Bat-Toon Board," fans were wondering "Why?" I can remember perfectly the discussions that went on. Some fans were upset that Kids'WB! was pushing aside the current Batman to focus on some "nerdy teenage with acne from the future." Others were excited to see the new, interesting take on the hero. Everyone was basing their opinion on that one rathar horrible image and the scant information the press release provided. Then, Kids'WB! released this image:


http://wf.toonzone.net/jimharvey/2ndbbimage.jpg

Along with the image, the series was renamed Batman Beyond, to avoid the confusing "Today on Batman Tomorrow" promos. Terry McGavin was changed to Terry McGinnis, and the show was well into production with a November 1998 premiere set. The show would eventually be delayed to January 1999, to coincide with the final The New Batman Adventures episode. In anticipation of the premiere, I set up the very first Batman Beyond message board, which would go on to become the biggest one online. As more and more information was released, along with new images and screen shots, people found themselves changing their opinion based on the new information, and becoming excited with the series.


http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/sections/gallery/batmanbeyond/41.jpg

The series hit screens and became an instant success. The vast majority of fans went nuts and the show turned into one of Kids'WB!'s highest rated shows ever. I remember being relieved that the series turned out to be so great. After a successful 52 episode run, the series was cut short and eventually, much like the series that came before it, hit the rerun circuit. But the series made a big mark in the animated Batman legacy, and still retains a loyal following, much like some certain animated series that premiered before it.

What were your reactions, if you can remember, when Batman Tomorrow/Batman Beyond was announced?

[TimTwoFace]

My initial reaction was: WHY!?

At that point in time we were just getting new episodes of Superman, and the first new episodes of Batman in over two years - and then we learn that both series' were being put on hiatus to create an all-new show. Part of me was excited, but I was - and still am - mad that the show just shoved the original two series' aside.

Fortunately, the first season of BATMAN BEYOND was a smash success. After that, however, it dwindled and died from my radar; I lost the WB in my area, and much of season two's episodes were sub-par. I was happy with how much thought and respect the writers put into making the future Gotham a credible extension of the previous series - and we got some great stories along the way - but part of me would always have been happier with more BTAS or STAS episodes. And I felt the exact same way when JL came along. :p

-Tim

[MattL.]

Heh. My first reaction was "Why the hell aren't they doing a Justice League toon?!"

[Jin Kazama]

To be honest, I was pretty much dead set against the series. I'd been watching Batman almost religiously since it's start on Fox, and Superman was just hitting it's stride in terms of storys and episode quality. When I heard all of that was coming to an end, I wasn't exactly happy.

Luckily the first episodes weren't that bad, and I liked the whole "futuristic Gotham" thing. I just wish I had kept that enthusiasm, as I found the later seasons and episodes to be kind of lacking. It still kind of gets to me to this day, but I've just kind of accepted it, and enjoyed the Batman and Superman episodes on re-runs.

[Mister Intensity]

The moral of this story is don't judge a Titan before seeing an actual episode (or two or three).

Mister Intensity

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

I can't remember being terribly excited or disappointed by this announcement, but I did have a similar reaction to MattL's "Why aren't they doing Justice League?" I trusted the WB Animated crew enough to reserve judgment until I saw episodes.

-- Ed/Ace

[BeastBoyWonder]

I was really excited about this series when I first heard about it. I always love fresh and interesting new takes on traditional stories, and I couldn't wait to see how the team would have this fresh interpretation of the animated Bat mythos. I had grown up with BTAS as a child (and loved it) and I was beginning to tire of the (usually) emotionless stories that were being told in TNBA. The fundamental themes that have motivated Batman have always intrigued me, and I was really looking forward to see these themes expressed in a new way as well as seeing the progession of Bruce Wayne's character and watching his obsession continue to dominate him in the future. I had loved the ways in which the creative team had interpreted Batman in the past, and with more creative freedom I knew they would be able to deliver. Basically, I couldn't wait to see this series... and ya know what? I loved it...

[Mynd Hed]

As I recall, I had fallen out of the Batman loop at that point-- I watched Batman: TAS religiously back in its original run on Fox, but after it made the switch to The New Batman Adventures I lost interest really quick. I hated the new character designs, and I disliked how they introduced Tim Drake (Batman has always been one of the more believable superheroes to me, but a kiddy Robin really strains my suspension of disbelief) and expanded Batgirl's part. It just started feeling a lot less like "Batman" and a lot more like "Batman and Friends," and while Batman has always been a very interesting character to me, Robin (Drake and Grayson, although Grayson was always less annoying to me), Batgirl, and Nightwing could go jump in a lake for all I cared.

When I heard (and by heard I mean just that-- I didn't see any pics until after I'd already seen my first episode) they were making a new Batman series set in the future, I thought it was a pretty cool idea. I was glad they were doing something new and different with Batman after the disappointing (to me) New Batman Adventures. I didn't have any huge expectations for the series-- I knew that it was incredibly unlikely that it would live up to the original-- but I resolved to give it a look.

I missed out on the first couple episodes, but when I finally managed to catch one, I loved it right from the start. I loved Bruce as a bitter old man, I loved the character designs and animation, I loved the new batsuit, I found Terry to be a more interesting character than either of the Robins ever were, and I loved the soundtrack, cheesy overdriven guitar and all. (I'm a huge Transformers: The Movie fan, that probably helped.)

[BlackoutCreature]

When i first heard about Batman Beyond, it was actually from a commercial that aired during or right before TNBA episode "Over the Edge". And from the commercial the 40 year time jump wasnt made too apparent. "Over the Edge" not having ended yet, revealing it was just a big dream, i actually thought this episode was leading into Batman Beyond. I figured this was the reason Bruce gave up being Batman and there was a new Batman. Kinda stupid when i think back to it now.

When i found out the truth of Batman Beyond, about Terry and the 40 years into the future thing, i was actually very much looking forward to it. To be honest, id gotten really dismayed with WB's The New Batman Adventures. They just lacked the realism, the stylism, the complexity and the general interest that the Fox episodes had. I was hoping this would jumpstart the franchise, or atleast jumpstart my interest in it. And it did.

At an age when Pokemon was at its height, Batman Beyond became just about the only thing i would tape on Saturday mornings. I loved the majority of the episodes, and today i really miss the show. I felt it had so much potential that it never fully achieved also. And considering both WB and DC consider it nothing more then a red-headed stepchild, i doubt it ever will.

[Frank White]

Ahh Batman Beyond. My first memory of Batman Beyond was when I went over my friends house and he was very excited about this new Batman series. So much that his whole family watched it and he also taped Re-Birth part 2 for me. Anyway my initial reaction was "cool" I liked how Terry could listen to conversations through his fingertips. I loved the new Batsuit. Anyway after that initial rush it kind of died down. I was among the many that was dissapointed to learn that Batman and Superman were being cancelled for Batman Beyond. I never hated it like many others but I was still angry.

[James]

I recall the press releases in the UK. I remember feeling slightly dubious. It had been a while since I had seen BTAS (and TNBA hadn't aired, Superman had a one season run at 7am in the morning when I slept).. the press releases were VERY positive and so I remained optimistic.

So I never knew about it until it was airing and the feedback was bleeding into the UK. The first ep I saw was on a trip to Florida with my then girlfriend. I saw half of Heroes before she threw a hissy fit as I was watching the cartoon rather than paying attention to her... long story - not quite as Mallrats as it sounds... :p

[Comic Book Boy]

I was 8. I was excited.

What 8 year old wouldn't be?

When I first saw the promo while I was watching TNBA I was amazed...I thought it was awesome.

I even made a 3-part comic book based on the info I obtained from the promo (I wasn't using the internet then so that was my only sorce for seeing BB)basically using the promo as a base for my own 'Batman Beyond' adventure.

...the comic wasn't that good...but I liked it...

[DarkLantern]

Heh. My first reaction was "Why the hell aren't they doing a Justice League toon?!"

The main reason: because at that time the rights were still tied up in the CBS live-action JLA TV show project. Later, when the rights were freed, Timm and McLaughlin were quoted as saying a JLA series would be a "production nightmare."

Glad they figured out a way around it.

DL

[Joker85]

My intitial reaction mirrors Tim's "WHY?" And, I still feel that way today. Perhaps I set myself against the show from the beginning, perhaps it just isn't that good. Who's to say? I didn't like the fact they were replacing TNBA with this new Batman in the future which for some reason always bugged me. But, I decided to watch it anyway. I was not impressed. I didn't like the first episode at all. I watched a few after that, trying to give it a chance, but the whole concept of the show I just truly hate. I didn't like seeing Bruce as an Old Man. I didn't like the fact that(until ROTJ) we really never find out what happened to our favorite characters, except for Babs. I dunno, it's just not my show, never has been. I have that same feeling towards Teen Titans. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

Oh, boy...I remember seeing that image...I beleive it was in a Wizard magazine...and I was kind've excited about the whole idea altogether but still...you know, I thought...why would they do that? This is a little strange. A little different. I remember being excited about it but if I remember correctly I think I also remember being a little unsure about it...but with the premeire called "Rebirth," I thought it was perfect...I remember thinking..."Hey! That George Takei talking for Mr. Fix!" I've been a huge Star Trek fan practically all my life...just like I've been a comic book fan...so I thought that his voice on a DC animated show was pretty awesome.

[Spidey2099]

I saw the promo for the first time when my brother visited (I actually still have the promo recorded! :) ). It showed the clip from "Rebirth" where Batman raises his fist up in silent rage after he hears Powers admit to hiring Terry's father killed. My brother was all star struck after seeing the design of the suit, which I immediately thought was cool as well. I thought it was neat how Batman's mouth blended into his mask to where you couldn't see it when he didn't talk.

My love for the show continued all the way through watching the first season......until I realized that the creative team was under too much pressure juggling both "The New Batman/Superman Adventures" and "Batman Beyond."

"Batman Beyond" was entertaining, but it was only truly excellent as a supplement to "The New Batman/Superman Adventures," in my eyes at least. Throughout season two and three, I kinda panicked over never being able to see anymore new episodes of Batman and Superman, having to settle for only Batman Beyond. But I guess everything is working out now for the better with Justice League.

[Mattashell]

My memory resembles Mynd Hed's. I really didn't have my finger on the pulse of things back then. I probably didn't hear about it until Kid's WB actually started advertising it on television. I remember really loving the premiere. Right from the start, the character designs, especially the really simple hero and villain costumes, was one of my favorite things about the show. I really loved the Blade Runner esqe future Gotham angle, which was nicely emphasised by all those words flashing on the screen in the intro, ending with "HOPE". Unfortunately, the stories had too much of a tendancy to revolve around the high school and its students, eventually Gotham didn't seem like such a dark and decaying place after all as the show became more and more about "teen" issues. "Spellbound" was one of the first episodes, and a red flag symptom of bad things to come.

I should add that I was initially excited because of the fact that it was an alternate take. I was really a child of Marvel, and when I was a kid I wouldn't touch anything DC untill someone turned me on to Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. While it didn't draw me into the DC mainstream continuity, it did get me buying just about every Batman "elseworlds" book that hit the shelves. It's also what led me to watching the series, which in its way, is an elseworlds too.

[MatchesMalone]

HATED the idea.

Resisted the concept.

Watched the first episode.

Somewhat surprised.

Still resistant.

Caught a few more episode here and there.

Even more surprised.

Started watching regularly.

Very surprised. Very good show.

ROTJ.

SOLD!!! Hook, line, and sinker.

Now,

"It's a classic!"

"What a great series!"

"I wish I had the maquette."

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

HATED the idea.

Resisted the concept.

Watched the first episode.

Somewhat surprised.

Still resistant.

Caught a few more episode here and there.

Even more surprised.

Started watching regularly.

Very surprised. Very good show.

ROTJ.

SOLD!!! Hook, line, and sinker.

Now,

"It's a classic!"

"What a great series!"

"I wish I had the maquette."

That reminds me of how I at first said I'd never read the "Kingdom Come" stories from DC, and then I read them years later, and decided it was my favorite story.

[Simpler Simon]

Interesting topic! I was living in PA at the time, and was about to move to Canada. Fortunately, due to some interesting personal circumstances, we moved back, and I saw all of season 1 before moving back up to Canada.

Not being very "in" on the workings of WB execs like the time, I was pretty hyped for the show. The concept was just so out there that I had to check it out. At the time I thought TNBA and STAS were just on hiatus, not that BB was taking over, so I was okay with another show. (for some reason, until Jim Harvey pointed it out to me awhile back, I always thought the two shows would be back around the time BB entered season 3). And the night it was supposed to air, I blocked out an hour to watch it, even though I had a history essay due the next day. Pretty good stuff. I was hooked.

[Barb Gordon]

I was intrigued overall I think. I can't recall whether I was fully against it, or fully for something different and new. All I know is that by the time it premiered, I was as eager as anything and was incredibly pleased when the first episode aired. I taped it, I was giddy, I was happy. As the show progressed, though there were some gripes as there will be with anything, I thought this was a pretty dang cool idea and that it had been attempted quite well. And then when they pulled out ROTJ, I was even more impressed and pleased.

This is an awesome question to pose at this time, Jim, and it has me looking back on how I'm viewing Teen Titans as it slowly nears its premiere. From the very beginning we've already seen the character designs change slightly, from Beast Boy getting a completely new costume, to Robin's head not being too big, to seeing Starfire with pupils. And it has yet to premiere so a lot could still change before that does come around, we'll just have to wait and see. I was more eager to see Batman Beyond, and I'm finding myself skeptically interested in seeing Teen Titans thus far.

~Barb

[superfreak]

I remembered watching the an ad on TV about Batman Beyond and saying to myself this is interesting. After watching the first episode, I was impressed and became a fan of Batman Beyond.

My biggest problem with Batman Beyond is how BB fits into the mytho of Batman created by DC. At first I think that BB can fit into the history of the animated Batman, but after watching JL for a while. I came to the conclusion that Batman Beyond is better as a stand-alone cartoon that being part of the history of Batman.

[The Old Maid]

I was intrigued, then impressed. Some of the best names in Batman's history had been chosen for this project, and they truly put their hearts into it. The later teen-angst episodes were a network preference, not an inevitable direction.

I found Old Man Wayne to be both more human and more alienated than the dapper-but-autopilot Bruce Wayne of TNBA. Terry McGinnis also got more development than the TNBA sidekicks.

This is not to say, I hasten to add, that the TNBA sidekicks had less potential. The network simply seemed uninterested in developing that potential. Unless I'm forgetting one, the episode "Over the Edge" was the only real exploration of Barbara's character. Most of the time she merely alternated with Robin, and competed with him for put-downs and one-liners. Nightwing could have done more than simply argue and rebel. Batman and his foes were locked into combat. In fact the foes who got the most development were one-shot new characters. Of the heroes the only real development was with Robin. He had personal relationships and made choices. In some cases he showed love/hate relationships with Annie and his father. In others he set the terms or became the boss with Batman ("Never Fear"), Superman ("Knight Time") and he even challenged TwoFace ("Sins of the Father"), not once but twice (fitting, that). Robin even persuaded Nightwing to go home ("Old Wounds"). Still, TNBA lost something when Robin was the only lead consistently making hard choices. What "choice" did Batman or Batgirl have to fight the villains? Of course they would! But "how do we catch the villain" isn't the same as "who's the villain here, and why did he choose this life." Robin was good, but he couldn't carry the series alone.

That's why TNBA as a whole paled next to Terry's interaction with Bruce. Partly this was because BB had a more well-rounded Bruce. Partly too was Terry's ongoing struggle to define Right and Wrong in his life. The lead characters constantly had to decide not only whether they were doing the right thing, but also to wrestle with the problem of what happens when two heroes are right. The teen-angst episodes lost that edge, just as TNBA lost its edge by pursuing action/adventure instead of psychological drama. Still, both of them broke out of the box from time to time, and it was wonderful to see.

[James Harvey]

Partly too was Terry's ongoing struggle to define Right and Wrong in his life. The lead characters constantly had to decide not only whether they were doing the right thing, but also to wrestle with the problem of what happens when two heroes are right. The teen-angst episodes lost that edge, just as TNBA lost its edge by pursuing action/adventure instead of psychological drama. Still, both of them broke out of the box from time to time, and it was wonderful to see.

I totally agree about Batman Beyond. That series did a great job delving into Terry's character. It was a neat twist, for the creators of the series, to have Terry avenge his father early in the series. His father's death would remain a big part of the character, but it wouldn't become to overlying theme of the series. This series was one purely based on redemption, on both Bruce and Terry's part.

We hear about Terry's past, and see he's trying to improve upon it, to right past wrongs, and it's a great take on the character. He's trying to make himself better...to himself. Trying to prove to himself that he's not some teenage thug that Batman "would'nt waste a second punch on," but a "worthwhile human being" in his own eyes. This was even touched upon in the direct-to-video movie, and it made sense. Terry's past definatly fueled this series. And so did Bruce's.

[Ruffian]

I was one of the ones who found the idea intriguing and looked forward to its premiere. When it did start, I wasn't disappointed. The high school stuff was a bit hard to get through I'll admit, but overall I thought the series developed beautifully. Terry was a very intriguing character. He had lots of similarities and differences with Bruce, and his relationship with Bruce was different from the Robins too. I enjoyed watching his character grow.

[Bats2007]

At first, I was excited because I was interested in seeing what would come of all the villians in the future, though about half way through the series I was dissapointed to find out that the creators had no intention of satisfying our questions. I also hated the figures. I don't think they could found one more stupid outfit for Terry to wear. They should have only done the one with the silky wings and then concentrated on the villians. But, I thought the show was pretty good just because of how original the storylines were.

[Antiyonder]

The later teen-angst episodes were a network preference, not an inevitable direction.


These lines from Bruce Wayne (Season 2 Revenant) sums it up:
"Terry, enough. You should be down at the piers looking for smugglers, not staking out your old high school. You've already invested too much time in this."

"I've seen it all ... but this thing, I don't know, it just feels so, so HIGH SCHOOL."

[James]

What they did with Terry I applauded. I recall the comparisons with Peter Parker and I never thought they were justified. Terry is the juxtaposition of old Bruce and that's where the dynamic comes from.

TNBA had potential to explore a similar vein but never really seemed to get round to it. Dick in particular had a grudge to bear and one which never seemed to be really touched upon. Basically, for his faults, Bruce was never really challenged for who he is. I felt Bruce's position and philosophy was only really countered in BB.

Terry is a dark character - not as dark as Bruce, but nevertheless a dark teen. As the series progresses we see that his past is.. messy, he has a temper and his treatment of his girlfriend is dubious to say the least.

What BB offered me, which made it so exciting was a retrospective look on Batman and Bruce Wayne. It showed us the exciting myth of Batman and the results of the golden era of cowl and cape. There was no heroic ending for the characters. Bruce never filled the hole in his soul - the need for justice/vengence never died. He lost his family. Dick left.. something clearly happened with Alfred (death seems likely) When he was no longer to function in his role, Bruce Wayne became a recluse - a husk.

I found all this was a bold step, and in BB to have Terry turn round and question the old man in a way that Dick, Barbara and Tim never did. It was exciting.

BB is, in some ways the darkest series of them all. At least with TNBA, BTAS... there is hope for the future. We see our heroes swing off into the sunset. BB does not offer this. Even from the start we see that nothing in Gotham really changed. Bruce never changed. As the story moved on, we see that Bruce didn't just lose his identity as Batman he lost all that he held dear. Bruce lost Barbara and Dick. Batman lost Tim. The Bat family fell apart and mainly due to Bruce and his inability to reconcile his roles as Batman or Bruce. He even lost control of his family industry.

Sure, the series had some duff episodes - season 2 just span off into a crazy tangent into High School junk. But the overall tone and interest to the Batfan is unabated. We get to see what happened to Bruce. We all see the legacy of the Batman isn't the providence of the bitter and sociapathic. With Terry we see a Batman based on hope and retribution rather than one on vengence and obsession. 'Rebirth' is a very fitting title.

[Anarky]

i wasn't down at first
watched the premire, was impressed
recorded the first season, still impressed

then i learned production of BB killed TNBA/STAS, which really steamed my beans (gotta keep it clean folks)

after that, I kinda got tired of the tech-villain of the week format.
Gotta give it some final props though: w/o The Call, there may be no JL.

but the real killer was Pokemon. Pokemania killed the superhero genre for a few years.
Thankfully, we've got JL, X-Men: Evo, TMNT, even Static keeping it alive. I'll even thank the staffs on Samurai Jack & He-Man.

With blockbusters like Spider-Man, HULK, and the X-Men, we should see a rise of comic book heroism in animation. Ash and Co WILL bite the big One someday. They'll be back in 20 yrs but I'll jump off that bridge when I get there.

[Nik Jam]

Well back when I wasnt a big Superman/Batman fan. (which I regret to this day) When I saw Batman Beyond I wasnt interested, seemed stupid, I didnt want to like it.

After getting myself to watch Justice League, I realized I liked it. Wow. So from there, I started watching Batman and Superman on the Rising Sun and realized i freaking loved it.

Batman Beyond followed suit shortly after. One of my favirote shows.

[James Harvey]

Terry is a dark character - not as dark as Bruce, but nevertheless a dark teen. As the series progresses we see that his past is.. messy, he has a temper and his treatment of his girlfriend is dubious to say the least.

I totally agree. If there's one thing I did like, it was how alot of people just assumed that Terry was this bubbly high school kid who was happy and always chipper. This guy had a major chip on his shoulder! He had alot of serious stuff to deal this, especially trying to redeeming himself for his past crimes. Terry did crack jokes here and there, but that doesn't mean he's this bubbly teen who'd rathar go order a malt then fight crime.

He wasn't completely dark like Bruce, but he did have a dark streak to him. He set a lofty goal for himself, a goal which is a constant reminder of his past.

[Batman]

Personally, I despised the show when it first aired. I was so upset at this show that I'd never refer to Terry as Batman, just Batfake. This wasn't the Batman that I grown to admire and idolize in my youth, as as my years progressed. I was just really pissed to see a teenaged version of my hero, and the teen wasn't even Bruce! I was furious! Plus, it was set in the future, a trend that I was getting sick of. I'm not a big fan of the futuristic landscape that many cartoons and movies seem to do. I love modern, contemporary settings. I just wrote the show off.

Then, a friend of mine insisted that I give the show a try, and lent me the entire first season of Batman Beyond and VHS and I really enjoyed it! I surprised at how dark the series was, how action packed it was, and how enjoyable the lead was. Terry McGinnis was a nice contact into the word of Batman. And ever sinc then, I've become a prety big Batman Beyond fan, and I really enjoy the series. I have all the episodes on tape and love the direct-to-video movie. It will never be to me what Batman: The Animated Series is, but it is still a great and fun series, once that I hope we can revisit.