EDITORAL
(by Laura Hysert, aka "Phoenix")

Sadly, Laura was unable to submit an editorial this week, but she will be back in full-force in time for the next newsletter! (We'll all miss her though! *SIGH*)
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BATMAN:THE ANIMATED TRIVIA
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)

This is one of my favourite sections, where I get to boggle the minds of all our readers! *EVIL LAUGH* This trivia is all animated-related in some form, and can deal with ANY aspect of the show or comics. Some are easy, some are not. Now have fun - let's see how well you do! Answers are provided beneath the "Animated Batman/Superman Sites" section.

27. Which of the following characters on BTAS have NOT been voiced by more than one voice actor?

A: THE SCARECROW
B: KILLER CROC
C: BANE
D: BATGIRL
E: ALFRED

28. Which of the following actors from the 60's "Batman" show have provided a voice for BTAS?

A: ADAM WEST (Batman)
B: BURT WARD (Robin)
C: CESAR ROMERO (Joker)
D: BURGESS MEREDITH (Penguin)
E: ALAN NAPIER (Alfred)

29. Which of the following actors from BTAS have also appeared in a live-action BATMAN movie?

A: RICHARD MOLL (Two-Face)
B: ARLEEN SORKIN (Harley Quinn)
C: JOHN GLOVER (Riddler)
D: ED BEGLEY, JR. (Charlie Collins)
E: ADRIENNE BARBEAU (Catwoman)

30. Which two of these characters have voice actors who ALSO appeared in "Titanic"?

A: THE PENGUIN
B: THE RIDDLER
C: RA'S AL GHUL
D: ROBIN/NIGHTWING (Dick Grayson, not Tim Drake)
E: THE DEMON
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JOKER'S WILD
(by Gookie)
This column is just basic humor. Nothing special to it, it's just here to make you laugh a bit before we delve into serious things (yeah, like grown men in tights!). Enjoy!

However, this week, Gookie was unable to submit a new humour column, but will return in the next issue! Check out the BTAN Archives at the following address, and go to Issue #7 to read last issue's humour column - it's great!

http://www.toonzone.net/wbc
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LITTLE FACTS

* First off, I must apologize to Kelly Tindall for not crediting her with two of the "little facts" in the last issue. Sorry about that, Ms. Tindall - a thousand apologies! She has also supplied the first two "little facts" for the list in this issue:

KELLY: 1) In "You Scratch My Back", Nightwing uncovers a statue that bears a striking resemblance to the Scarecrow's brand new skull-face mask.

KELLY: 2) In "Torch Song", Batman's gun (which he uses to put out Firefly's fires near the end) has the same design as Mr. Freeze's original gun, from "Heart of Ice", "Deep Freeze", and "Sub-Zero". I prefer to think of it AS the original!

3) Bruce Timm, producer of the series, has actually done some voices for the series, too! He was "The Mad Bomber" - the toy-obsessed child - in the episode, "Beware the Gray Ghost".

4) Also, in "Beware the Gray Ghost", Adam West (who played Batman in the 60's series) played the part of Simon Trent/The Gray Ghost.

5) "Melrose Place" heart-throb Heather Locklear has also provided a voice for BTAS. She played the role of "Lisa" in the episode, "Prophecy of Doom".

6) Everyone probably knows this already, but Lois Lane and Andrea Beaumont are both voiced by the same woman - Dana Delaney!
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ANIMATED NEWS AND RUMORS

MOVIES
-Also it looks like BATMAN:THE ANIMATED MOVIE #3 is a definite YES!(woohoo!) - Boyd Kirkland says that there are no potential plot outlines available just yet.
-"Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero" will air on the CARTOON NETWORK on November 21, 1998.
-"Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" will likely air on Kids WB sometime this season - no exact date has been given, yet.

COMICS/BOOKS
- BATMAN: ANIMATED, Written by Paul Dini and Chip Kidd, was due to hit stores back on Sept. 23, but, alas, is not on schedule. It's tentative release date is now October, so expect to see it popping up everywhere within the next four weeks! Reserve your copy NOW!
- Harley Quinn is rumored to make a major comeback in "Batman: Gotham Adventures" within 5 months, where she finally writes her tell-all book about the Joker and other Arkham inmates! There's also a BIG surprise in store...but we're not saying what it is!
-During the San Diego ComicCon, Paul Dini revealed that he will be writing a story arc for NO MAN'S LAND that will introduced Harleen Quinzel into the mainstream world. She will be introduced as a therapist at Arkham Asylum but she won't be making her debut as Harley for quite a while. Is this a good thing? Only time can tell. Also the introduction of Batgirl #2 during NO MAN'S LAND seems very true. (news courtesy of NEWSARAMA DAILY at the MANIA site)
-Rumors still seem to be flying about the Spoiler becoming Batgirl #2...but now with her baby? Hmmm...

ANIMATED SERIES'
-Here's a recap of all the known upcoming episodes this season (sorry, no Superman episodes were available):
-Look for the return of Zatanna and Bane, plus the Scarecrow will be returning to terrify our heroes! The Riddler will have 3 whopping appearances as well. Catwoman will head her own team to counter Batman's. The Judge will be introduced and more of Batman's Rogues gallery will return.

- Plus some BATMAN BEYOND news...
aside from findin' out what happened to Tim Drake and Dick Grayson it is very possible that we'll be introduced to Ra's Al Ghul and SUPERMAN(!) in the second season!

http://www.mania.com/columns/amhh/amhh081498.html

http://www.mania.com/tv/features/batmanbeyond.html

http://www.toymania.com/sdcc98/batmanbeyond.shtml

(Thanx for Brain Cruz's WB Cartoon page for the URLS!)

- WB feels that "Batman Beyond" will be a huge success, so they've already planned 13 episodes for the series' second season.

- A JLA (Justice League of America) series does NOT look likely at this point in time. My personal opinion...YAY!
- News about the "future" of the JLA series can be found if you follow this link:

http://detnews.com/metro/hobbies/comix/stories/9808/18/index.htm
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OTHER BATMAN RELATED NEWS

Movie News
-Brendan Frasier (who played George in "George of the Jungle") is the latest name being tossed around for playing Batman in the next live-action movie. George Clooney is still tied to the project, so unless we hear he's been let go (which would be BIG news), he's still the front-runner for the role, again.
- It looks like WB's proposed press release of the future of Batman 5 will NOT be on this month's schedule. Oh well. But we will surely not see a Batman movie for 2 more years (3 years from when "Batman & Robin" was released). I quite like the 3-year gap between the first three Bat-movies - and part of the problem B&R failed was because it only took 2 years to produce, and therefore received a rushed job. *CROSSES FINGERS*

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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED FIGURES
(by Kevin Smith)

THE FINAL SERIES OF "OLD STYLE" BTAS FIGURES (WAVE SIX)

After Crime Squad (Wave 5) was released (yawn) the D.U.O. Force line came out. Again, we got swamped with repaints, but this time a Mr. Freeze repaint was released. Although I didn't buy him, I thought it was good, since all the people who weren't able to catch him the first time around could buy this one. Instead of his chest being gray, this new figure's chest was metallic silver and silver boots. The light purple rings on his arms and wrists were painted light blue. His back pack acted as a weapon launcher. Overall, he looked pretty good.
A Riddler repaint came out too, which I also did not get. He had black pants and a green blazer that had less blue in it than his first "animated" figure. He came with a question-mark contraption that attached to his back and was a helicopter pack. 
The saving grace of D.U.O. Force was Wind Blitz Batgirl. Finally, we got a Batgirl figure! Unfortunately, the paint scheme was so unlike her actual look, it wasn't funny... She came with an accessory that could change from powered glider, to a sailing vehicle. I'm sure everyone did exactly what I did and bought some model paint and painted her in a correct color scheme. Mine looks great now, and I'm glad they left her cape and cowl blue. The card art is atrocious. It reminds me of the crap that came out for "Batman and Robin" the movie in the animated style.
Along with news of a new Batman show came two very great figures. The Joker (otherwise known as "Machine Gun Joker", so it won't be confused with his three previous BTAS figures) with machine gun and Joke-A-Matic Time bomb was an awesome edition! It was the Joker in his famous trench coat and hat, and his face was even white, and not the minty green which was always used before! The only gripe I had with  his figure is that he's missing the shadowing around his eyes. Otherwise a perfect figure, and the card art is superb.  
Along with this Joker, one of the most popular characters from the show, Harley Quinn, FINALLY got her own figure. I spent the entire summer of '97 looking for this figure, until I finally found her at the end and had to be sedated in the aisle. This was such a wonderful figure! She came with Knockout Punching Glove and Trick Pistol, which were acceptable accessories. She looks great next to the Joker or Poison Ivy. The only negative point is that she's a little tricky to balance, but nothing a little persistence can fix. The card art is pretty good too, although she looks a little stiff.
Finally, the "Arkham Breakout Set" was released. Offered only in comic stores and on the net, this set featured repaints of the original Joker, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, the Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Clayface, Man-Bat, and the Phantasm figures. For all new toy-collectors, this set was a must, because it was far easier (and cheaper) to buy this set of figures instead of searching for these same figures separately.
    And this wraps up the final installment of "Batman: The Animated Figures", featuring the old style. Next issue we start reviewing the figures in "The New Batman Adventures" series' - be there!!!
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COMIC REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
ISSUE: "(Almost) The World's Finest Team" (#25)
WRITTEN BY: Mark Millar
PENCILED BY: Mike Manley
INKED BY: Terry Austin
ISSUED: September 9, 1998 (Cover date is November)
RATING: ***** (out of 5)

"I'm not going back to Arkham. That place is full of lunatics!"
--The Mad Hatter as he evades Batgirl

SUMMARY: Bruce Wayne has been kidnapped by the Mad Hatter who demands Batman's cowl (he's collecting rare headpieces) or he will shoot him. Nightwing is in Louisiana capturing Killer Croc, and Robin has also been captured by the Hatter. Superman responds to the Bat signal after hearing about the trouble. He tells Commissioner Gordon that Batman is out of town and that he will help out. He tracks down Batgirl and assists her in the capture of some of the hatter's goons, but none of them will tell where the hatter is. They find a man who is a 'real estate' agent to many criminals after they break out. He says that the Hatter didn't need his help and would be in the last place anyone would look for him. Batgirl and Superman figure out that the place is the police headquarters, but the Mad Hatter creates a diversion; he sends a mind-controlled Robin to take a ride in the Batwing. While Superman stops Robin, Batgirl ends the hatter's games by knocking of his hat with a batarang. The Mad Hatter retreats into the sewer, but Superman lures him out by offering him Batman's cowl (he'd been to the Batcave...).
Later, Batman thanks Superman, and the latter takes off for Metropolis.

COMMENTS: As a fan of the Mad Hatter's as well as the Superman animated series, I really enjoyed this issue. I thought the story was engaging and original and that the art was very well done. The coloring of this issue was also excellent. Even if you don't like Superman, I highly recommend this issue.

CRITICISMS: None!

BOTTOM LINE: A great issue that is just as fantastic as any issue of Batman: Gotham Adventures or episode of The New Batman Adventures.
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COMIC SCHEDULES
This section gives a little bit more in-depth look into each monthly issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. The price is $1.99 in the US and..grrrrr....$2.95 in Canada

"ANIMATED" COMICS

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #7
Oct. 7th
Dagger Dixon (B&RA#14), who used to work with Tim Drake's father, encounters Robin and instantly realizes who is under the mask. The Penguin also appears.

NEXT MONTH:In issue #8 we see Batman and Batgirl on the trail of the "League of Assassins"! Wooohaa!

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #26
In stores on ???
In we see the return of Mr. Mxyspti..ah whatever and he travels back in time to tell a young Clark Kent the tyrant he'll grow up to be (which isn't true). Find out what happens!

MAINSTREAM COMICS:
Currently, Batman and the Gotham vigilantes brood and complain while still saving citizens who are trapped in rubble. Also Batman's rogue gallery is coming back full force in the wake of the big quake!

Comics released on
Oct. 7/98:
(All prices are the American cover price)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #7 ($1.99)
BATMAN / JUDGE DREDD: DIE LAUGHING #1 ($4.95)
BATMAN / JUDGE DREDD ($4.95-$5.95)
BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #80 / AZREAL: AGENT OF THE BAT #47 ($3.95)
BATMAN: SWORD OF AZRAEL TP ($9.95)
LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE 3D GALLERY #1 ($2.95)
SECRET ORIGINS 80-PAGE GIANT #1 ($4.95)
YOUNG JUSTICE #3 ($2.50)

SPECIAL:
BATMAN: ANIMATED - To be released in October sometime.

NOTE: Any later October release dates were not available to us at the
publication of this newsletter.
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COVERING THE BASICS...

This sections helps you, the reader, find the best on the newsstand or comic shop. The covers below are covershots for BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES, SUPERMAN ADVENTURES, and/or related comic book/book merchandise. I hope this section makes it easier for you to find true quality. The covers are provided by DC CURRENTS, and TOON ZONE. Any other source will be given their dues.

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #8
http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/bga08.jpg

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #9
http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/bga09.jpg



SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #26
no cover at present time available

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #27
no cover at present time available

BATMAN: ANIMATED (new and improved pic!)
http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bga/batanim.jpg
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SITE WORTH CHECKING OUT
(We have two this time around!)

1st UNOFFICIAL JUNIOR-PRESS-STRIP FAN PAGE
(The Online Dutch Comic Database)
http://www.geocities.com/soho/lofts/2413

This site is a god-send for any Dutch comic fans! This site catalogues ALL Dutch versions of our favourite comic book heroes, neatly in a nice little package - VERY easy to use! I loved it!

Check them both out! You won't regret it! It might be awhile before this section is updated but stay tuned!
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ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:

THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
http://www.batman-superman.com
BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://www.batmantas.com
KIDSWB!
http://www.kidswb.com
http://www.wbanimation.com
TOON ZONE
http://www.toonzone.net
TWO-FACE'S TOWER OF TRANQUILITY AND TERROR
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFace/index.html
BRIAN CRUZ' WB CARTOON PAGE
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/index.html
BRIAN'S BATMAN PAGE
http://members.aol.com/bdavis2613/main.html
THE ANIMATED BAT
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7382/index.html
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED HOMEPAGE
http://www3.sympatico.ca/quartet/home.htm
THE BATCOMPUTER
http://members.spree.com/batcomputer
SUB-ZERO
http://www.warnerbros.com/subzero
SUB-ZERO: THE DEFINTIE GUIDE
http://www.batman-subzero.com
RAVING TOY MANIAC
http://www.toymania.com
CHARACTERS ON THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN
http://www.xse.com/leres/batman.html
THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN F.A.Q. SITE
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/1216
THE BRUCE TIMM ARTWORK ARCHIVE
http://home.rr.nycap.com/cataldo/timm.htm
HARLEY'S HAVEN OF HEDONISM
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/harlequinhideaway
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (unofficial site)
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/5158

These are some of the best BTAS sites on the web at this time. Most sites are updated or have been recently and all are up and running.
If you've watched Batman on WB there's a fair chance you've watched Superman as well. This show has picked up 40% more viewers this past season thanx to Batman. This series is one of the most underrated shows on TV because it's stuck under Batman's (pun intended) shadow. There's one website that treats it as its own show and its a damn good website! I recommend all who have seen this show to check out this site:

SUPERMAN:TAS
http://www.rain.org/~stas
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ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA

Answer to #27: 'C'
Answer to #28: 'A'
Answer to #29: 'C, D'
Answer to #30: 'C, E'
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CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:

BATMAN and all related property is a registered trademark of DC Comics. Visit DC Comics website at:
http://www.dccomics.com

DC Comics is owned and operated by Warner Brothers. Visit their website at:
http://www.warnerbros.com

Kids'WB! is a part of Warner Brothers. Visit the Kids' WB! site at:
http://www.kidswb.com

If I've left any out I'll probably be sue and homeless within a year so please tell me.
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LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE'S HOW!!!

Now that this newsletter is archived at THE WBC HOMEPAGE, those who haven't subscribed have been asking how to do so. Well here it is for those who would like to subscribe:

To subscription requests email juno@direct.ca and that's all ya do. Just put 'subscribe' and your email address in the email message.

A little cash donation would be appreciated, but it's not obligatory.
(Dang!)

Also if you want to ask question about BATMAN/SUPERMAN or this newsletter then please send those as well! WE will address them in the newsletter, or to you directly.

Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading!
-BTAN Editor
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TO ALL GOOD THINGS...
...there must be an end. Our newest installment of the newsletter
has now been completed. We would like to thank the endless
contributors for contributing their editorials, columns, news, jokes,
reviews and other articles. We hope you've all enjoyed it as much as
we've enjoyed making it!
See ya next time!

CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER

EDITORS: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Brian Cruz
BTAS REVIEWS: Bob Evatt
EDITORIAL: Laura Hysert
COMIC REVIEWS: Aaron Maurer
TOY REVIEW: Kevin Smith
"BATMAN BEYOND" ARTICLE: Ed Wiser
"BTAN ARCHIVES" MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
PROMOTIONS AND JUST GETTIN' THE WORD AROUND: Brian Cruz, Brian Davis,
Eileen Delgadillo
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-P Tim "TWO-FACE"
Leighton
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane (who else?)

Rest well, Roddy.
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