SPECIAL ARTICLE IN THIS ISSUE #2:
"BTAS vs. TNBA"
by James Harvey

  Who would win? Let's find out! I've been given a lot of guff about comparing the classic BTAS against TNBA shows, and I decided that it's time to clear things up! Some say TNBA is the best! Others say BTAS will never be beat! This ongoing debate inspired me to comapre the first 13 episodes aried of B:TAS and the firts 13 episodes aired of TNBA to hopefully solve this dilemma. Keep in mind that this article is just my opinion - it does not necessarily represent the opinion of the other people working on this newsletter, or any other fan for that matter.

#1
B:TAS's "THE CAT & THE CLAW (Pt. 1)" versus TNBA's "HOLIDAY KNIGHTS"

Gee. Hard desicion. In HOLIDAY KNIGHTS we see he first look of the new designs and the new Robin. We hear the new Batgirl voice.We see much of what's new. Meanwhile in CAT & THE CLAW we see the first of everything.

We see our first glimpse of the Dark Knight, his classic foe, Catwoman, and many other "firsts". Plus "CAT & THE CLAW" had much better animation and a great story. "HOLIDYA KNIGHTS" just served as a showcase of the redesigns and would be a mediocre episode at best.
Winner:B:TAS (1) 

#2
B:TAS's "ON LEATHER WINGS" versus TNBA's "SINS OF THE FATHER"

Hmmm. Not to hard ot figure out. In SINS OF THE FATHER we see the origin of the new Robin (Tim Drake), our first glimpse of a grown-up Dick Grayson, and a "redesigned" Two-Face. Ok episode. Ok animation. ON LEATHER WINGS on the other hand is an amazing episode with just amazing animation. The flight scene finale with Batman and Man-Bat was amazing. The explosion in the pharmecutical building? Amazing. We also get really cool cameos of Gordon, Bullock, Mayor Hill, and Harvey Dent. Everything in this episode is done amazingly! It's not to hard to figure out the winner.
Winner:B:TAS (2)

#3
B:TAS's "HEART OF ICE" versus TNBA's "COLD COMFORT"

The old Mr. Freeze versus the new headless Mr. Freeze. In COLD COMFORT we see a Freeze torn apart by the fact that Nora has gone and married someone else. He decides to rob Gothamites of their most valued possesions in response. It's an ok episode with pretty good animation but wiht one major fall-back: The Ice Maidens. Ugh. Freeze doesn't need henchwomen. Meanwhile in HEART OF ICE, we are introduced to Freeze. We see a great and tragic origin sequence which would make anyone sorry for this cold hearted felon (who, after all is said and done, really ISN'T a "bad guy"). The animation is astounding and Batman beats Freeze in the most innovated way - the ONLY way to fight a cold.
Winner:B:TAS (3)

#4
B:TAS's "FEAT OF CLAY (Pt. 1)" versus TNBA's "NEVER FEAR"

A blob of clay versus a pissed of Scarecrow. Hmmm. I think this one will go to NEVER FEAR. In FEAT OF CLAY we see not so good animation (but an awesome interogation scene) and an ok story. This episode is just an introduction to part two and nothing more. In NEVER FER we see the new, more terrifying Scarecrow taking away Batman's fear, turning him into a total bad-ass vigilante. Batman almost kills a guy so it's up to Robin to stop Batman and Scarecrow which leads to an awesome finale on a runaway train. NEVER FEAR is easily one of the superlative episodes of the "new" adventures, and is outstanding overall.
Winner:TNBA (1)

#5
B:TAS's "FEAT OF CLAY (Pt. 2)" versus TNBA's "YOU SCRATCH MY BACK"

While we're introduced to Nightwing and Catwoman's new darker look, it just can't beat Clayface. In YOU SCRATCH MY BACK we see a lot of awesome fight scenes but the weak plot just can't support it. In FEAT OF CLAY we see an amzing episode focussed on revenge! The animation of Clayface's shape-shifting is just amazing just as was Batman's interogation scene with Germs and his shock as he tries to save Clayface from falling off a building.
Winner:B:TAS (4)

#6
B:TAS'S "IT'S NEVER TOO LATE" versus TNBA's "DOUBLE TALK"

A reformed Ventriloquist versus an againg gangster. I wonder who would win. In DOUBLE TALK we see Arnold Wesker trying to get on with his life. But this episode just can't hook you. The animation is poor and the story is just a rehash of the other Scarface episodes with the predictable 'Scarface being killed off' ending. In IT'S NEVER TOO LATE we delve into drugs, religion, and mob wars. Its an amazing episode in
which we see Batman trying to help reform an aging gangster (Stromwell), whom Thorne is after. With great animation and a powerful story, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE wins!
Winner:B:TAS (5)

#7
B:TAS's "JOKER'S FAVOR" versus TNBA's "JOKER'S MILLIONS"

Hmmm..two Joker episodes. Here's the premise for both of 'em: For JOKER'S FAVOR, a wimpy accountant crossed the Joker's path, and was then tormented by him for the two following years, and now must kill Commissioner Gordon or his family will die. In JOKER'S MILLIONS we see Joker being forced to heist armored cars to get his millions 'back' after being tricked by a dead mobster. I think FAVOR sounds better. The animation in JOKER'S MILLIONS is pretty good but the story and animation in FAVOR is better - MILLIONS' attempts at humor are embarassing, while the dark humor of FAVOR is classic. (However, Fake Harley and the Harley try-outs were cute and clever in JOKER'S MILLIONS) 
Winner:B:TAS (6)

#8
B:TAS's "THE CAT AND THE CLAW (Pt. 1)" versus "GROWING PAINS"

No contest! How cna the crappy animation and lackuster story in CAT & THE CLAW part II even hold a light to GROWING PAINS. In CAT & THE CLAW Part II we see just 20 more minutes of..well basically nothing. It's boring - and that's a shame, for part one was terrific! In GROWING PAINS we see Robin trying to save a homeless girl who is, in effect, Clayface-spawn - so, basically, fighting the person he's trying to save. How? The episode is amazing and leads to one the greatest endings of all-time. "Sometimes, there are no happy endings" just struck a cord with me when Batamn said that to try and comfort Robin.
Winner:TNBA (2)

#9
B:TAS's "PRETTY POISON" versus TNBA's "MEAN SEASONS"

Two episodes with suprisingly similar premises, but only one pulls it off better. In MEAN SEASONS we see ex-model going insane after being dropped by all her agents, so she does what anyone else would, try and kill 'em. I bet Cindy Crawford'll be doin' that in no time! In PRETTY POISON, we see a mysterious woman poison D.A. Harvey Dent becuase a few years earlier he dug up a feild of rare flowers for so he could build Stonegate penitentary. She wants revenge and she could get it! See..sorta similar...In MEAN SEASONS the character of Calendar Girl is forced upon us too soon and uncomfortably. We were forced into everything...including the Chipendales henchmen. The animation was astounding though. In PRETTY POISON, the episode runs smooth with the help of a great premise and great animation.
Winner:B:TAS (7)

#10
B:TAS's "NOTHING TO FEAR" versus TNBA's "THE DEMON WITHIN"

This one, for me, is actually hard to peg. I thought NOTHING TO FEAR, despite OK animation, was a great episode where we see Bruce's fears and how he sees the role he played in his parent's death and what they thing of him. In THE DEMON WITHIN we see Bruce Wayne trying to save Etrigan and Jason Blood from a demonic little kid. Sure the premise sounds silly but it works. This is a really hard one to pick. The animation is beyond amazing in this episode (just check out the finale! Amazing!). and the plot is solid, but slightly forced. I can't believe I'm gonna say this but..it's a tie.
Winner:B:TAS and TNBA (3 & 8)

TWO-FACE'S TIE-BREAKER: This doesn't officially count, but I think that "Nothing to Fear" deserves to win here.

#11
B:TAS's "BE A CLOWN" versus TNBA's "OVER THE EDGE"

No contest! TNBA flies cirlces around this BTAS's BE A CLOWN (and gee..where else but JOKER'S FAVOR can we hear Batman say: "ALright Joker, time for some Bat-magic." Ugh!).The animation ain't to great in BE A CLOWN and it sort of shows. The plot is solid, but doesn't garnish much interest. OVER THE EDGE, on the other hand, is a non-stop action filled, emotional issue where we believe in the impossible plus it shows what a lot of fans love seeing:Batgirl dying! YESSS!!! (Take THAT, Schumacher!) But seriously, the animation in OVER THE EDGE is just amazing! The smooth moves of the characters and the use of Computers in this episode work perfectly! One problem: talkshow sequence. Anything else: PERFECT.
Winner:TNBA (4)

#12
B:TAS's "APPOINTMENT IN CRIME ALLEY" versus TNBA's "TORCH SONG"

TORCH SONG started out great. The animation was pretty good, too. A pyrotechnic gets dumped, goes nuts, so tries to kill his ex (a pop singer) and gets his ass kicked by Batman.Oh yeah, and Batgirl makes a dumb mistake that gets her injured. Again. In APPOINTMENT we see Batman going to visit the site of his parent's death (Crime Alley) but then he discovers a plot which will destroy the area and kill the woman who saved him, Leslie Thompkins. This is a great episode that proves not everybody wins all the time. Great animation as well!
Winner:B:TAS (9)

#13
B:TAS's "P.O.V." versus TNBA's "LOVE IS A CROC"

HA!Where's the competiton here? LOVE IS A CROC is basically about two deformed people (a bad KILLER CROC and an even worse BABY DOLL) going on a rampage and then trying to blow up Gotham...again. In P.O.V. we see a police sting gone bad and three cops with two differant stories. Who's telling the truth and who's lying? And..what happened to Batman? The winner is obvious. Oh come on! Think about it!
Winner:B:TAS (10)

BTAS wins! The score is 10-4 for BTAS!I know alot of people are gonna be pissed by this but I don't care. This is my personnal opinion - TNBA can't beat BTAS. It might come close, but never will. If anyone wants to oppose I'm open to a little discussion about the particualr episodes listed above!

NOTE BY TWO-FACE: Let's get ready to rumble.  *ROLLS EYES*
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SPECIAL ARTICLE IN THIS ISSUE #3:
BEST OF THE PAST
(by James Harvey)

  Since it's the dawn of a new season we had the perfect reason to do a top ten list of the past season! Let's go! (Remember this is only for S:TAS and TNBA episodes which debutted in the 1997-98 season.)

10."Brave New Metropolis"
This is one of the most darkest portrayals of Superman ever! Here we see Lois accidently enter an alternate reality where she's dead...and it shows. Superman feels guilty for her death and sides with Luthor to 'save' the city. Superman is a tyrant. Metropolis is in ruins. Can Lois help Superman? Yer gonna have to watch to see!

9. "Apokalips...Now!" (Pt. 1)
Its the best lead-in episode I've ever seen. Here we are introduced to the new Intergang, who possess futuritic technology thanx to Darkseid. After being badly injured, Maggie Sawyer lies in a hospital bed and Turpin demands revenge. Then arrives Orion of the New Gods to warn Superman and Metropolis: Darkseid is coming...

8. "The Late Mr. Kent"
This episode grabs you right in just by the name of the title! Clark Kent is dead and his murderer lives on. Superman and Lois must find out 'who killed Clark Kent' (confused?) before they're next. This episode changed the status of a semi-regular character that no one saw coming. So, Who killed Clark Kent? Watch and see!

7. "World's Finest" (Pt. 2)
This episode suffers from the typical 'second part syndrome' that plagues all three parters...it's mainly filler between the emotional first and third parts. However, this episode still manages to be pulled off in style. Buce and Lois Lane grow deeper for each other...well before Joker kidnaps Lois, and things take off from there. We see repercussions of the Bats versus Supes battle in part one.Can you smell the tension in the air?

6. "World's Finest" (Pt. 1)
Great set-up. This episode shows the Joker stealing twenty pounds worth of Kryptonite and heading to Metropolis with intentions of offing the Man of Steel! Lois first meets Bruce! Plus do you think when Batman and Superman first meet it would be 'Super-Friends' all over? Wrong. Cool strip-club scene, too.  Gotta love that.

5. "World's Finest" (Pt. 3)
This episode overshadows all other parts! It's full of suprises and shocks all the way through! During the episode, Batman is unmaksed in front of...nah you'll have to wait and see! Batman and Superman form an uneasy alliance to stop Joker and Lex? Will it all work out? Possibly - but the end will change both our heroes' lives forever.

4. "Never Fear"
Easy, Batman unleashed into the bad-ass he wishes he could be. We see Batman let go of all his fears, including the fear of killing, thanks to the Scarecrow. Robin is on his own once Batman almost kills a thug. Scarecrow's new design is actually SCARY now - a welcome change. Can Batman get it together and stop the Scarecrow? Can Robin stop Batman from killing Scarecrow? Watch and see!

3. "Growing Pains"
Remember your first love? Everyone does, but sometimes things don't go as smoothely as you hope. After saving a mysterious girl from a gang of bikers, Robin develops a crush for her and goes out searching for her. Robin falls into her mysterious past when her dad comes calling. Can Robin save 'Annie'(what he calls her) from her father and still stay alive? Fantastic animation, too. When you see, you'll know why its one of the best BATMAN episodes ever!

2. "Apokalips...Now! (Pt. 2)"
The stage has been set and hell is going to break loose...literally! Parademons are tearing Metropolis apart and there's a headhunter after Supes. Superman is unable to contact Orion and the New Gods for help - could things get any worse? What about the nuclear explosion from part one?  (Oops! Spoiler alert!) What's gonna happen when it reaches Earth's core? Superman and Metropolis are on their own and the odds look impossible. But now the unthinkable has happened...Superman has fallen...

1. "Over the Edge"
Best episode of the past season, and one of the best ever. Batman's world is turned upside-down when the Scarecrow kills Batgirl...sounds bad already? Think again. It gets even worse. Gordon, angry over his daughter's death, blames Batman and sets the entire GCPD out to get him. Dick Grayson is in jail, as is Alfred. Tim has run away. Enraged, Gordon releases Bane from Blackgate and hires him to assassinate the Dark Knight. All the tension is built up to a great finale following Barbara's funeral, on top of GCPD with Batman, Gordon, and Bane...

  Those are without a doubt the 10 best episodes of the season! These episode made people sit-up and notice this isn't your regular kiddie-fare show. Its a drama-adventure where anything goes. The new season has begun...

SHAMELESS PLUG: Also check out my letter in BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES #6!
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Q & A WITH THE INCREDIBLE BOYD KIRKLAND
(director of countless of the "old style" BTAS episodes, co-director of "Mask of the Phantasm" and director of "Sub-Zero")
(interviewed by James Grayson-Harvey).

"IT'S A BOYD!  IT'S A PLANE!  IT'S...!"

Boyd Kirkland was oh, so kind to take time out of ultra busy schedule to answer ten little fanboy questions! This is a great Q & A and one of my favorites! So sit back and read through this little Q & A and enjoy! Now without further adieu, heeeeeeeeere's BOYD!

JH#1 - How did you get your start in animation and end up working for WB? Also,what drove you to Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS)?

BK#1 - I started in the animation studio twenty years ago, working as a layout artist,drawing backrounds and character keys for Hanna Barbara, Ruby Spears, Marvel, etc, on shows such as Jana of the Jungle, Plastic Man, The Fantastic Four, Thundarr, The Incredible Hulk, and Spiderman. After six years, I moved on to drawing storyboards for Marvel, on G.I. Joe, Jem and the Holograms, etc., and freelanced for many other studios, including Disney, Graz Enetertainment, TMS, and Rich Entertainment. I started producing and directing for Marvel on Robocop, Bucky O'Hare, and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. Along the way, I also worked on several feature films, including Starchaser, the Legend of Orin, The Chipmunk Adventure, G.I Joe, the Movie, and Little Nemo, Adventures in Slumberland.
  While at Marvel, I was very impressed by the quality of work being produced by Warner Bros, on Tiny Toons, and felt frustrated by the lack of quality control and relatively small budgets I had to work with. So, when Warner Bros. announced in 1991 that they would be producing an animated Batman series, I jumped at the chance to work on it as director.

JH#2 - You must have a favorite episode you directed yourself. Is there any you'd redo if you were given the chance, and if so, why?

BK#2 - It would be tough for me to pick out just one favorite episode. Some of them I enjoyed becuase of the particulary good script ("Perchance to Dream", "Beware the Gray Ghost"); others becuase of some great animation and action ("Harley & Ivy", "Second Chance", "Sideshow"); and still others becuase of their interesting character studies ("It's Never Too Late", "Appointment In Crime Alley", "I Am the Night", "Read My Lips").
  Given all the limitations inherent in producing shows for TV (time, money, broadcast restricitions, etc.), there are always things you wish you could have done better or differently. As directors, we had no control, for example, over which scripts we were assigned, or which overseas animation studios would be given our episodes, etc. The producers made those decisions. Sometimes, the whole process really feels like a crapshoot, and you just do the best you can and hope something decent comes out in the end. Shows I like the least usually had weak scripts and/or animation ("Catscratch Fever", "Make 'Em Laugh").

JH#3 - Now out of the original 85 episodes which one do you think stands out among the crowd as your favorite?

BK#3 - Since I have a tough time singling out just one favorite episode of my own, it would be really tough to pick just one of the entire series! Several episodes which stand out for various reasons are: "On Leather Wings", "Heart Of Ice", "Feat of Clay Part II", "Dreams In Darkness", and "Robin's Reckoning Part I".

JH#4 - What do you think of THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES on Kids' WB? Do you like the new style and approach to the already classic series? Is there anything you don't like about it?

BK#4 - Now,You're really asking me to tread on dangerous ground! I know there has been quite a mixed reaction amongst fans to the redesigns and more symplistic style of the new series, and to the new emphasis on costumed villians versus more realistic crime bosses. This is largely a matter of personal taste. I prefer the original series, as I find the current, cartoonier look and feel to work against darkness and believability of the drama (although it is slick and pretty to look at).

JH#5 - Good point. What do you think about the B:TAS move from FOX to WB?

BK#5 - FOX was wonderful to work with, because in many respects, they were allowing us to break new ground with B:TAS, but it's also great that WARNER BROS. now has their own network, creating a little job security for us!

JH#6 - What was it like working on a film like MASK OF THE PHANTASM? The animation was amazing in that movie. What was it like working with all the different animation crews and voice actors?

BK#6 - While I'm proud of my work on Phantasm, in several respects, it was a frustrating experience for me. It's always tough to work in a situation where you don't have much control, and are just one of several directors and producers, each with his own style and priorities. While the animation in it is very good, I think several episodes of the original animated series were just as good, if not better. The story, with its primal emphasis on Bruce Wayne's first love and becoming Batman, is what I think appeals to most fans. 
  It is always a kick to work with the actors at recording sessions.Up until that point, the story is just words on a page. Hearing them read their lines brings it to life! It's also nice to meet these people we've seen in various movies and shows, and find out how nice they really are. 

JH#7 - This question is basicallt the same: What was it like with SUBZERO? Do you think the meld of computer animation and tradional animation work well? Was it a differant experience working computer animation?

BK#7 - SUBZERO was a wonderful experience for me creatively, as I had much more control over every aspect of the production. The major frustration I had with it was in it's delayed release, as I and many other people had worked very hard to have it finished in time for it's originally intended summer debut. 
  It's interesting that I always get asked about the computer animation in SUBZERO. Like the redesigns of the animated series, it too has generated many mixed reactions amongst the fans. For the most part, I was very pleased with how well the CGI intergrated with the rest of the
film, and feel that it helped elevate it above the TV series.
  If you look at the hand drawn animation done in the TV series of mechanical things like the Batwing, or animation of buildings and backrounds, the results are usually pretty poor. That's becuase those things are very difficult to draw and animate, as well as paint to match the rest of the fuly rendered backrounds. One solution to this problem is just avoid doing scenes like this, but that is very limiting, cinematically. Computers have solved this problem, but it's still a challenge to get the look of the CGI to match the rest of the film. 
  I enjoyed directing the computer animation, becuase the guys at Foundation Imagaing who did it were great to work with. For once, I could actually be there to oversee the process, as opposed to the hand drawn animation, which is done in Japan or Korea where I have very little control.

JH#8 - There have been rumors flying that WB is going to be doing a third animated BATMAN movie or a NEW GODS animated movie. Do any of these rumors hold any possibilities?

BK#8 - It's true that The New Gods has been off and on in development over at Warner Feature Animation for quite some time. I'm not certain what it's current status is, but I don't think it has been given a green-light yet.
  I am currently working on ideas for [a third] Batman Animated movie for Warner Bros. Home Video, as they have been very pleased with the sales of SUB-ZERO and are interested in doing another one. But it hasn't been definatly green-lit yet. I can report, however, that NONE of the rumored story lines I've seen reported about it out there on the Internet are true. Sometimes, I wonder who's making this stuff up, and reporting it as fact?! Given how much time these movies take to make, the earliest the next one could appear (if all goes well) is  early 2000.

JH: INTERRUPTING SIDE NOTE: Editor Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton promoted some of these rumors some time ago, and now feels very embarassed.  Shame on you, Tim!

JH#9 - Also with the success of SUBZERO, and if we do see another animated movie come to video (or theatres), are we going to be able to see more "Lost Years" stories (which take place between "Sub-Zero" and "Sins of the Father")?

BK#9 - As I indicated above, several differant storylines are currently being considered for the next Batman Animated movie. None of these are particulary focused on filling in continuity gaps, but rather are just attempts at telling a great Batman story.

JH#10 - Works for me! But are there any other projects you're scheduled for that we can look out for in the near future?

BK#10 - In addition to working on ideas for Batman, I have done development here on WONDER WOMAN, THE METAL MEN, LOBO and a few other things. These are all kicking around somewhere, and one never knows if any of them will surface someday!

 Thanx-a-million for contributing, Mr. Kirkland! This was a great Q & A I hope you readers had fun readin' it! Thanx again,Boyd!

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