Why did Ty & Rick leave the BGA comic series for so long?

[Marika Segal]

I know that this kind of thread is not exactly needed, epsecially now that BA is runing the show,Thank God. But for a while I've been wondering, why did Ty Templeman and Rick Burchett leave the BGA seires for freakin four years? I'm sorry to use such languge but it just pise's me off that they let Peterson and Levins run the BGA series for that long & made the series be so boring, in my opinon!!!

Anyone have any opinons,ideas or facts about this topic please???!!

Feel free to say anything about this topic please.Thank you.

[TimTwoFace]

As far as I know, Ty Templeton left for "creative differences". He's a regular on this board so if he's willing to divulge anything more detailed than that, then we'll know.

I don't know why Rick Burchett left either, but it did open up his schedule and allow him to try his hand at doing some artwork in the mainstream Batbooks - which I personally quite like.

Thank goodness they're both back, though.

-Tim

[DisneyBoy]

AMEN.

Thank GOD for this book. Really, its wonderful. I'm a happy camper.

But in terms of Gotham Adventures, I do remember that Ty had some plans, including a Huntress story and another Sensei tale, not to mention the Harley goes legit tale, which ended up being completed and printed.

I am curious to know what the "creative differences" were, but it's really none of my buisness. I can tell you though, that if I had been writing the book, and heard about Peterson's plans for it, I'd have been peeved. I'm not at all saying that was what happened mind you (how would I know?), but whatever it was, I really wish it hadn't happened.

Then again, maybe it needed to happen in order for DC to realize just how much of a gem Ty is. Peterson let the book sink slowly into the abyss, and DC has four years worth of practically worthless stories to look back on. Now they have a title fans are loyal to, and extremely excited about. Lesson learned, whomever had to learn it.

Anyhoo, I'm just glad this series is here. But yah, I do kind of wish I could have read more TNBA Batman stories. As far as I'm concerned there were only 18 Gotham Adventures (The initial run, plus the Dixon tale, Harley tale, Joker tale, Freeze Tale and Creeper tale).

[Ty the Guy]

Why did Rick and I leave for a few years and then come back?

Can't speak for Rick.

But in my case it's a pretty dull set of obvious reasons.

A combination of minor creative differences with the editor at the time, plus a chance to write an Avengers series at Marvel after forty some odd Batman issues in a row, a huge graphic novel to write and draw for Vertigo, some Justice League, Vampirella, Plastic Man, The Banned Elseworlds Annual, an issue of Thor, the Simpsons, the Human Defense Corps, a TV pilot that no one bought, etc. etc. etc.

I got busy. (Plus, I got four kids. That's busy enough for two people.)


And even while I was away for a couple of years, I still inked an Adventures issue or two, and wrote a couple (and provided at least one cover). Plus, I kept in touch with Slott and Burchett on the phone, so I never left COMPLETELY all the way out the door. I'm too tenacious and too fond of the Batsignal for that. I just wasn't around so MUCH.

When Joan Hilty was considering relaunching the series, I had JUST inked an issue for her (Gotham #58, which I had asked to do) so I was on her mind at the time and I had just wrapped up the HUMAN DEFENSE thing and had free time for a monthly project. Much of what happens in comics is timing, so the timing worked out this time to come back full time. When Joan asked if I had a preference for any artists, I gave her a list that had Burchett up at the top, and also as choice two, three and eight. I loves me the Rick Burchett.


There's really no particularly interesting story in all that, I know. There was no secret problem that kept Rick and I working on other stuff for a few years until our punishment was up or something... we just felt like shaking the artistic muscles out on other stuff . And I liked a lot of the Peterson/ Levins issues, so I was happy to be a fan for a while, too.

But I'll ALWAYS come back to Batman Adventures as long as they still want me around. Burchett and I worked on the first issue, twelve years ago, and I'm sure we'll be here when the sun goes cold.

Ty the Guy


Now...if only the timing would work out for a Deadman series . Or Kamandi. Or the Inferior Five. (I have the best Inferior Five pitch you've ever seen.)

[DisneyBoy]

But I'll ALWAYS come back to Batman Adventures as long as they still want me around. Burchett and I worked on the first issue, twelve years ago, and I'm sure we'll be here when the sun goes cold.

[Marika Segal]

I understand now the reasonable facts Ty, why you left BGA for that long. As an drawing artist myself, I understand and respect the thought of, as you said ''shaking the artistic muscles out on other stuff''. And I definatly understand that you have a big family to attend to and take care of.

You have a very Sensationaltalent for coming up with great plots for the previous BGA series and now for BA. And great at drawing too. I love your talented work and Ricks absolutly Fantastic drawing art abilitys!!! You both should pat yourselfs on the shoudler and congradulate yourselfs for doing such a marvelous job at what you do for us Bat fans!!!! At least I think so.

I hope you and Rick are going to be a part of the BA series for a really long time.