"Beware the Batman" News & Discussion Thread, Part 2 (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Beware The Batman is the all-new animated series based on the iconic Caped Crusader swinging to Cartoon Network in Summer 2013. The CGI-animated series is headlined by Glen Murakami and Mitch Watson. Further details are below.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Beware the Batman Description:
A cool, new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise, Beware the Batman incorporates Batman’s core characters with a rogues gallery of new villains not previously seen in animated form. Along with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana, the Dark Knight faces the twisted machinations of Gotham City’s criminal underworld led by the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this action-packed detective thriller deftly redefines what we have come to know as a “Batman show.” Featuring cutting-edge CGI visuals to match the intricate twists and turns of the narrative, Batman steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight for an entirely new generation of fans. With WBA’s Sam Register executive producing, and Batman Beyond’s Glen Murakami and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated’s Mitch Watson producing, Beware the Batman, based on characters from DC Comics, is coming soon to Cartoon Network!

Stay tuned to The World's Finest for further updates!

Previous Updates:
Beware the Batman News & Discussion Thread, Part 1 (Spoilers

Current News

Spoiler:

GENERAL INFORMATION
Air Dates

• Set for Summer 2013 WF 10/4/11 + WF Article 3/29/12 + WF Article 1/28/13
• July-ish Liu Tweet 4/12/13

Animation Format

• CGI animated WF 10/4/11

Premise

• A classic-looking Batman teamed up with a gun-toting Alfred Pennyworth and Katana. WF 10/4/11
• Show will explore the mythology's more obscure villains like Professor Pyg and Mr. Toad along with some of the more well-known ones. WF 10/4/11
• It is early in the Batman story Movie Web 1/17/12
• Action-packed detective thriller WF Article 3/29/12

Production Updates

• December 2011: The first two episodes were recorded before Christmas. Movie Web 1/17/12
• March 23, 2012: Michael Borkowski tweets he is finished storyboarding his first episode Tweet 3/23/12'
• April 24, 2012: J.B. Blanc recorded for episode nine Blanc Facebook 4/24/12
• July 17, 2012: J.B. Blanc and Tara Strong recorded Blanc Facebook 7/17/12
• August 13, 2012: Recording took place on August 13th, 2012. One actress recorded first for a part in the last scene of an episode. Ask Greg 8/16/12
• September 10, 2012: J.B. Blanc recorded Blanc Facebook 9/7/12 + Blanc Tweet 9/10/12
• September 24, 2012: J.B. Blanc recorded Blanc Tweet 9/24/12
• October 1, 2012: J.B. Blanc recorded Blanc Tweet 9/26/12
• October 4, 2012: No finished footage yet but prelims look good Sam Liu 10/4/12
• October 6, 2012: J.B. Blanc recorded. "Getting down to last few of season!" Blanc Tweet 10/6/12
• December 9, 2012: J.B. Blanc recorded an episode, a total of 20. Blanc Tweet 12/9/12
• December 17, 2012: J.B. Blanc recorded for last episode of the season Blanc Tweet 12/17/12
• February 11, 2013: J.B. Blanc started ADR Blanc Tweet 2/11/13
• March 25, 2013: JB Blanc did more ADR Blanc Tweet 3/25/13
• April 12, 2013: Sam Liu mapping episodes Liu Tweet 4/12/13
• May 10, 2013: JB Blanc did more ADR Blanc FB 5/10/13

Teasers

• First teaser image WF 10/4/11
• Second teaser image included WF Article 3/29/12
• First video teaser, 23 seconds, features the Batmobile, presumably going through the Batcave, and Batman narrates. WF Article 4/19/12
• TV Guide Magazine Comic Con 2012 Special article
• Third teaser image WF Article 1/31/13

STAFF
Production Staff

• Glen Murakami is the Producer WF 10/4/11
• Mitch Watson is also a Producer WF Article 3/29/12
• Sam Register is Executive Producer WF 10/4/11
• Michael Borkowski involved in storyboarding Tweet 3/23/12
• Shane Glines is a Character Designer Reddit 10/18/12
• Mark Banker is a Writer Twitter Account bio
• Sam Liu is a Director Giancarlo Volpe 5/20/12
• Rick Morales is a Director Giancarlo Volpe 5/20/12
• Andrea Romano is Voice Director TV Guide Comic Con 2012
• Eric Canete is a Storyboard Artist Sam Liu Tweet 10/7/12
• Dave Bullock is a Storyboard Artist The Next Issue 12/13/12
• Curt Geda is a Director Sam Liu 3/18/13
• Frederik Wiedmann is Composer WF 5/2/13

Voice Actors

• Kurtwood Smith as James Gordon. Movie Web 1/17/12
• JB Blanc as Alfred, Bat-Computer,and others Blanc FB 4/23/12, Blanc FB 9/7/12, Blanc's Twitter
• Sumalee Montano as Katana LA Times Hero Complex 7/13/12
• Anthony Ruivivar as Bruce Wayne/Batman LA Times Hero Complex 7/13/12
• Udo Kier as Mr. Toad DC Nation Panel 7/15/12
• Lance Reddick as Ra's al Ghul G4 7/19/12 7:12
• Cree Summer as Bethany Ravenclaw Talkin Toons Ep. 51 55:20 mark 7/27/12, Comikaze 9/20/12
• Tara Strong JB Blanc FB 7/17/12
  

CHARACTERS

Main Cast

Batman

• Will be more focused on detective work than gadgets and tricks WF 7/14/12
• Has been operating for 5-6 years DC Nation Panel 7/15/12
• Goes to Bethany Ravenclaw, a psychiatrist, for help and she gives him a lot more than that Comikaze 9/20/12
• Takes care of the people he loves sometimes at the expense of his own safety DC Nation #2
• Takes on first female partner, Katana DC Nation #2

Katana

• Katana will fill the sidekick role, but is not a replacement for Robin. WF 10/4/11
• Described as sword-wielding and mysterious WF 7/14/12
• Will be Batman's equal
• Her Soultaker sword will be explored
• Batman sees someone who lost her way and needs some guidance to find the right path DC Nation #2
• Former member of the C.I.A. and the League of Assassins DC Nation #2
• Real Name: Tatsu Yamashiro DC Nation #2

Alfred Pennyworth

• The relationship between Batman and Alfred is also still developing Movie Web 1/17/12
• Alfred confirmed as ex-secret agent. WF Article 3/29/12
• Abilities and background in the secret service will be emphasized WF 7/14/12
• Was an agent in his 30's, now in 60's DC Nation Panel 7/15/12
• Uses Pulse Rifle DC Nation #2
• Knows how to handle himself in a fight DC Nation #2

James Gordon

• James Gordon is still a Lieutenant Movie Web 1/17/12
• Gordon doesn't trust Batman Movie Web 1/17/12
• Gordon and Batman help each other on an early case Movie Web 1/17/12

Recurring Cast

Metamorpho

• SDCC 2012 DC Nation Panel
• A former guard who, because he was exposed to toxic chemicals, can now manipulate the elements of his own body DC Nation #2

Barbara Gordon

• will be into computers, amazed by Katana SDCC 2012 DC Nation Panel

Villains

Specific

Professor Pyg WF 10/4/11

• Professor Pyg is a refined English gentlemen Comics Alliance 7/19/12 10:33-35
• Real Name: Lazlo Velentin DC Nation #2
• Scientist, uses bone saw and scalpels DC Nation #2

Mr. Toad WF 10/4/11

• Eco-Terrorist DC Nation #2
• Sonic Croak and uses flame-throwing cane DC Nation #2

Anarky WF Article 3/29/12

• Anarky will come to Gotham specifically to challenge Batman Comics Alliance 7/19/12 7:15-18
• Anarky will be the Moriarty to Batman's Holmes, does the opposite of Batman DC Nation Panel 7/15/12
• First Look DC Nation #2

Magpie WF Article 3/29/12

• Magpie will become obsessed with Batman Comics Alliance 7/19/12 7:12-14

Humpty Dumpty DC Nation Panel 7/15/12

• Believes he's on a mission to destroy anyone who has ever harmed the innocent. In reality an excuse to use his life-size toys and games to terrorize DC Nation #2

Cypher i09 second clip 7/19/12

Ra's al Ghul G4 7/19/12 7:12

General

• Some of the more well-known ones. WF 10/4/11
• Don't expect too much of the Joker WF 10/4/11
• No Penguin, No Riddler DC Nation Panel 7/15/12
• Villains created by Grant Morrison will appear DC Nation Panel 7/15/12
• Pyg and Toad will drive around in a steam powered car armed with a cannon Comics Alliance 7/19/12 10:22-32

First Trailer

Spoiler:

"To those who would hurt the innocent, I give you this one warning: Beware My Wrath."

[RoryWilliams]

Still hoping for a cast announcement soon!

[Yojimbo]

I'm skeptical. GL:TAS' pilot was set for November 2011. We didn't have confirmation on Josh Keaton until May 2011 and Kevin Michael Richardson and Grey DeLisle until August 2011; It may be awhile until we hear about the voice cast.

On BtB I agree with your good points but I think after this one they shoud give Batman a break or at least do a Superman Batman team up show

The only thing that bugs me is I wish they wouldn't toss out an old idea and bring a new one in every 3 years. I loved Batman: The Brave and the Bold... and although it got 65 episodes, I still felt its life was too short. Let these things breathe WB. You could have morphed B:TBTB into an updated show (eg. JLU)

There's always hope, more so since Plastic Man and Teen Titans got 'resurrected' on DC Nation. With the Man of Steel movie coming soon, a Superman animated series seems inevitable. I hope they get Tucker to run it... then he could make it part of the The Brave and The Bold-verse... Superman: World's Finest, and maybe even sneak in Batman from TBATB as a guest star. But I digress...

[James Harvey]

According to Shane Glines' Facebook page, he part of the creative team on Beware The Batman.

http://www.facebook.com/cartoonretro

[Otaku-sempai]

You can find it here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2329077/. I hope I was correct in guessing that the show will premiere before the end of this year. It looks like some data is still waiting to be entered (such as such crew members as I was aware of).

So, casting suggestions? Rino Romano grew into the role of Batman pretty well by the end of The Batman. Would anyone object if he reprised the role? What about Alastair Duncan's Alfred? I think that perhaps Kevin Conroy or Bruce Greenwood would be wrong for this show.

[RoryWilliams]

The pilot at least will probably air sometime this year. YJ and Green Lantern both aired their pilots in Autumn and then started up for real in the Spring of the following year, so it'll probably hold true for here as well.

[The Dark Lord]

You can fi nd it here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2329077/. I hope I was correct in guessing that the show will premiere before the end of this year. It looks like some data is still waiting to be entered (such as such crew members as I was aware of).

So, casting suggestions? Rino Romano grew into the role of Batman pretty well by the end of The Batman. Would anyone object if he reprised the role? What about Alastair Duncan's Alfred? I think that perhaps Kevin Conroy or Bruce Greenwood would be wrong for this show.

Rino Romano's pretty good, and I wouldn't object if he returned. For Alfred, the guy from Arkham City did a pretty good job, and it would be cool if he played Alfred here.

[RoryWilliams]

I'm not sure who they'll get. I'd like if they could get Conroy back but I've grown to love both Diedrich Bader and Bruce Greenwood as well. If they're trying for a younger Bruce then I don't know who they could pick.

[TheVileOne]

Something Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Platt told me make me believe he's working on this show. Maybe not as Batman but possibly in the show in some capacity. But it's just speculation on my part.

[supergirl's pal]

There's always hope, more so since Plastic Man and Teen Titans got 'resurrected' on DC Nation. With the Man of Steel movie coming soon, a Superman animated series seems inevitable. I hope they get Tucker to run it... then he could make it part of the The Brave and The Bold-verse... Superman: World's Finest, and maybe even sneak in Batman from TBATB as a guest star. But I digress...

I would love if Tucker did a Superman: Brave and the Bold show to see what his version of Supergirl would be like. That would alleviate my disappointment of her not appearing on Batman: Brave and the Bold.

[Yojimbo]

Something Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Platt told me make me believe he's working on this show. Maybe not as Batman but possibly in the show in some capacity. But it's just speculation on my part.

Did you bump into them recently at WonderCon?

I would love if Tucker did a Superman: Brave and the Bold show to see what his version of Supergirl would be like. That would alleviate my disappointment of her not appearing on Batman: Brave and the Bold.

I would not have guessed. Just kidding... We can continue this particular conversation in either of these threads:

1. Who would you like to be the main star in Brave/Bold Spinoff?
2. Would anyone like a new Brave and The Bold-type cartoon...
3. Other Brave & Bold Storylines
4. "Batman: The Brave & The Bold" News & Discussion Thread, Part 9 (Spoilers)

[Otaku-sempai]

I'm not sure who they'll get. I'd like if they could get Conroy back but I've grown to love both Diedrich Bader and Bruce Greenwood as well. If they're trying for a younger Bruce then I don't know who they could pick.

I don't see Bader for this version of Batman either. I think we'll either see Romano return to the role or we will get someone new.

[Bobbywoodhogan]

I'd love Rino Romano to come back he was a solid Batman, I keep hoping he'll get cast in one of the DCU DTV's.

[Sonic_Eclipse]

I thought Rino Romano was an awesome Batman, and would love to see him in the role again.

I hope they cast him in an upcoming DTV too. Come to think of it I haven't heard Rino in much of anything lately other than commercials.

I doubt they'll cast Conroy or Greenwood in this seeing as its supposed to be a young Batman. It'll most likely be someone new to the role.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

You can count me in as another supporter of Rino Romano's return as Batman. I loved The Batman and was a bit disappointed that he didn't voice the character for the Year One DTV.

[Hordesman]

Anarky in a press release?! Wooohoooo!

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

I'd be willing to bet money that Batman's voice actor will be someone new...

But IF... and thats a big IF... they were to ask an actor to reprise the role, then yes, I'd give it to Rino Romano. But let's face it, he did a competent job, nothing to shout about really.

But lets face it, Kurtwood Smith is Gordon. So therefore it will be someone familiar yet new voicing Bats.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Yeah, it's probably somebody new. With my luck it won't be Richard Epcar, either.

[Pacman7821]

I'm not to sure about this.

I mean, I may check it out. I kind of wanted it to be 2D instead of CGI, and I don't hate CGI, its just that I preferred 2D.

I also don't understand why use Katana, why not Cassandra Cain? I mean, does Cassandra even appear in animation before? I mean, I know most fans know that Cain use to be Batgirl, but they don't have to make her Batgirl. (since the general public mostly think of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, and I doubt they know that other characters were Batgirl at some point.)

They could call her Black Bat or something. I know I'm pretty new to the DCU, but it looks like they are making Katana a teen, when I believe she is a adult. If they wanted to have a teen ninja/sidekick, why not just use Cain? As far as I know she hasn't appear in animation before, and I think Katana has. I know some fans say that because most non-comic readers wouldn't know who Cain is, but I think that is more of a reason to add her, so more people will know about her.

Anyway, I'll check out at least the first few episodes.

[FightingDreamer]

Regarding Cassandra Cain: would it be nice to see her in animation? Sure. She's a great character, and you could do some neat Spider-Man-esque "expressive mask" stuff with her in animation. But this constant outcry whenever she doesn't appear is starting to seem a little silly to me.