Date: Sunday, January 10, 1999 1:49 PM
Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of Jan 11 - Jan 16/17, Jan 18 - 23/24
Volume 2,
SPECIAL NOTICE: BATMAN BEYOND SPECIAL PRIME-TIME PREVIEW TONIGHT!!!
(re-airs Jan. 16/17).
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to another action-packed issue of "Batman: The Animated Newsletter"!
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SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE
- The results of the "BEST/WORST" of 1998 poll are in!!!! Let's see how Batman
fared with his devoted fans this year...
- We are also pleased to say that none other than Diane "Poison Ivy" Pershing
has joined us this issue for an interview. Woohoo!
- We have also added a new section to the newsletter, kind of like an on-line market to
help all you budding collectors out there. Have a look!
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HISTORY OF THE ANIMATED BAT
The five-time emmy-winning Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS) debuted in September of
1992, running weekdays on the FOX network. 65 episodes later, season two began in 1994,
airing only on Saturday, adding only 15 new episodes to the roster.
A year later, BTAS was re-introduced to the FOX weekday line-up. All the original
episodes were brought back this time, as well as 5 new episodes, leaving the episode count
at 85 in September of 1995.
The series was top-notch, and fans were sad that it wouldn't go on - but it was an
excellent run. In 1997, BTAS was pulled from the FOX network. Was BTAS dead?
We were all proven wrong.
NEW episodes began airing bright and early on the morning of September 13th, 1997, on
the WB network. Two years (less two days) after BTAS ceased production, it was reborn.
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HISTORY OF THE ANIMATED MAN OF STEEL
In the fall of 1996, the creators of BTAS moved on and produced an animated version of
the Man of Steel. The first season was made up of a mere 13 episodes, and while the show
did not blow away audiences like BTAS did, "Superman" (STAS) still managed a
fair amount of success. In it's second season, it was teamed up with BTAS on the WB,
making the full hour block of "Heavy Duty Dubbas" episodes a sure-fire winner.
In fact, the series involved a three-part crossover with Batman, and has three more
crossovers planned in the future. In 1997, the series won an "Outstanding Special
Class Program" emmy, which it shared with BTAS. The series is moving strong and
gaining even more steam as it blasts into Season Three...
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HISTORY OF BATMAN BEYOND
In early 1998, the WB had plans of unveiling an all-new superhero animated series, in
the style of the phenominally-successful Batman and Superman series. This series was then
revealed to be entitled "Batman Tomorrow" (renamed "Batman Beyond"),
featuring an all-new Dark Knight fighting crime in a futuristic Gotham City. So far, a 13
episode first season has been given the go-ahead, with 13 more episodes planned for season
two. This is literally history in the making - which is why there is nothing more to write
here right now. Ha!
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BATMAN:THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES
The real nice people at TOONZONE (thanx!) have set up an archive section at their site,
storing back issues of BTAN. You can look back on past newsletters or maybe even print
them out, if you don't already. This has been very useful and got alot of positive
feedback from subscribers wanting copies of past newsletters. The URL is:
TOONZONE's BATMAN:TAN ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/wbc/btan
If you're interested in information about the newsletter or are just plain curious
about some of our news, schedules, websites, etc... then please e-mail here:
btanarchives@hotmail.com
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NEW EPISODE(S)
This section will just basically give an insight into what the new episodes are about
and hopefully a synopsis of the episode. This section will feature both new Superman and
new Batman episodes.
'REBIRTH'
Batman Beyond #1, 2
Air date: Jan. 10 & 16, 1999
The premiere of the new series! See what made Bruce Wayne give up the cowl, and how a
teenager in futuristic Gotham City became Batman for the 21st century. This is a two-parter, for sure. They're showing this episode prime-time on Jan. 10th and then in the
new weekend schedule on Jan. 16th.
Written by Paul Dini, Stan Berkowitz, and Alan Burnett. Directed by Curt Geda.
'MAD LOVE'
Batman #106???
Air date: Jan. 16, 1999
An adaption of the award-winning Dini/Timm comic, featuring Harley Quinn's origin.
Joker appears as well, of course, with Two-Face, Riddler, and Killer Croc (instead of
Penguin) making cameos. There is still no definite word on whether this is a one-parter or two-parter.
We'll have to wait and see. Butch Lukic directs. This is also going to be the last new
BTAS episode for at least two years - which is a shame. But at least they're going out
with a bang.
'ABSOLUTE POWER'
Superman #??
Air date: Jan. 16, 1999
Jax-Ur and Mala return to torment Superman. YAY! (Yay?)
'IN BRIGHTEST DAY'
Superman #??
Air date: ???
Classic DC hero Green Lantern makes his appearance on Superman.
MISC. POLL
-Does Kids'WB overplay Batman/Superman? Go to this URL and cast your vote. It is real
close, and I mean close!
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/#poll
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WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Brian Cruz and/or the official BTAS/STAS site)
This section of the newsletter highlights the schedule and times that WB airs The New
Batman/Superman Adventures. For most affiliates it airs Monday - Friday at 4pm (ET) and
Saturdays beginning at 8am (ET). WGN airs Batman/Superman Monday - Friday at 10am (ET) and
Sundays beginning at 8am (ET). There's a chance that your local WB channel airs it at a
differant time. To find out when, we recommend you follow this URL (provided by Toonzone):
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/stations/index.html
PS - Remember that "Batman Beyond" airs 30 minutes AFTER
"Batman/Superman" is over, because "Men In Black" has been squeezed in
between.
THIS WEEK:
Sun 1-10-98: SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF "BATMAN BEYOND" PREMIERE - 4 PM PST, 7
PM EST
Mon 1-11-98: Superman #37 Little Girl Lost (Pt. 1)
Superman #38 Little Girl Lost (Pt. 2)
Tue 1-12-98: Batman #71 The Terrible Trio
Superman #21 Mxyzpixilated
Wed 1-13-98: Superman #05 A Little Piece of Home
Batman #66 Sideshow
Thu 1-14-98: Batman #73 Time Out of Joint
Superman #31 Prototype
Fri 1-15-98: Batman #75 Bane
Batman #100 Cult of the Cat
Sat 1-16-98: Superman #?? Absolute Power-----------NEW!!!
Batman #106 Mad Love ----------------NEW!!!
BATMAN BEYOND #1 Rebirth (Pt. 1)
BATMAN BEYOND #2 Rebirth (Pt. 2)
NEXT WEEK:
???
Note: All episodes #86 and onward of BATMAN are considered THE NEW
BATMAN ADVENTURES while the original 85 are considered BATMAN: THE
ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS) episodes.
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EPISODE OF THE WEEK:
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
This section lets me tell you about my favorite rerun airing this week!
You are not to miss this episode at all cost! Tape it if possible! All Batman and
Superman episodes which have at least been shown once are eligible - but try to catch the
new episodes if you can!
THIS WEEK:
Tough to choose. Half are great, half are pretty bad. In the good half, we have
Superman's "A LITTLE PIECE OF HOME" and Batman's "SIDESHOW", and
"BANE". The screen-adaption of "MAD LOVE" is a sure-fire
instant-classic as well.
NEXT WEEK:
???
THIS WEEK'S EPISODE TO MISS:
Batman
Both Batman episodes, THE TERRIBLE TRIO and TIME OUT OF JOINT are poor episodes. The
latter is better than the first, however - but both suffer from weak plots and lame
gimmicks. Miss 'em both. You won't be sorry.
NEXT WEEK'S EPISODE TO MISS:
???
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CARTOON NETWORK WB ANIMATION SCHEDULE:
"Yabba Dabba Doom"
(courtesy of Brian Cruz)
CARTOON NETWORK 'BATMAN' SCHEDULE
Batman: The Animated Series airs Monday through Fridays at 6 pm ET. The 6pm show is
repeated at midnight. CARTOON NETWORK airs 52 of the original 65 opening season. Starting
Jan. 4th there will be no more midnight repeat.
*Special Note: SUB-ZERO and MASK OF THE PHANTASM will be airing soon as apart of CN'S
FRIDAY TOONAMI MOVIES program which begins Jan. 8th at 4pm (ET)*
Mon 1-11-99: Batman #43 Day of the Samaurai
Tue 1-12-99: Batman #45 Terror in the Sky
Wed 1-13-99: Batman #47 Birds of a Feather
Episode schedules for the Cartoon Network for any later dates were
unavailable at the time of mailing this newsletter. For future updates, check
out TOONZONE for schedules. See the links section for the link.
NOTE: Most of the episodes airing now on the CARTOON NETWORK won't be
airing on KidsWB for quite some time! If you want to complete your
collection then get as many as these episodes on tape as possible! Just
some friendly advice.
NOTE: SUB-ZERO will be airing at 4 PM this on Jan. 15th (Friday) on the CARTOON NETWORK
as a part of the TOONAMI FRIDAY MOVIES.
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EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Bob Evatt)
Mr. Evatt is an experienced reviewer of the new BTAS episodes and has much of his work
shown at the Lazarus Pit website, and is now contributing to this newsletter! His other
reviews can be reached via this link:
http://effect.net.au/allan/lazarus-pit
NOTE: Mr. Evatt was unable to supply a review for this newsletter so Tim
"TWO-FACE" Leighton is filling in for him.
HOLIDAY KNIGHTS
Written by Paul Dini
Directed by Dan Riba
Animation by Dong Yang
Original air date: September 13, 1997
My rating: **1/2
Seeing how it's the holiday season, I decided that I should review the most recent
holiday episode of the series. Here goes!
This is the first episode in the new style, and in every way, is drastically different
from all its predecessors, in that it is a 22 minute episode split up into three
vignettes. The story is based on the events that occur in a Batman Adventures Holiday
special, released in 1994.
The first vignette stars the long-awaited re-team-up of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
It's December 22, and their life is the pits. So what do they do? Ivy drops by a party
held at the mansion of Veronica Vreeland and kisses one of the party-goers...Bruce
Wayne...under the mistletoe, casting him under her spell. She then drags him into their
car, where she and Harley ambush him, taking all his credit cards, and then going on a
shopping spree around Gotham at his expense.
The second vignette is set at Mayfields, a Gotham department store, on Christmas Eve.
Barbara Gordon is there, buying a present for her father, while Bullock and Montoya are
there undercover as Santa Claus and an elf to catch a theif that has been robbing the
store in the recent past. A group of four kids enter the store and then become involved in
a chase sequence before crashing together, revealing themselves to be none other than
Clayface! Batgirl quickly changes her costume and battles Clayface, before she, Bullock,
and Montoya chase him outside and apprehend him. The best scene in this vignette, in my
opinion, is Batgirl's battle with Clayface...this is an example of how much more BTAS can
get away with (violence-wise) on WB, compared to FOX.
In the third vignette, Batman and Robin have just been informed that the Joker has
stolen a special sonic-bell (or something) developed by Gothcorp. On a video tape sent to
the GCPD, the Joker makes a promise that, seeing how it is New Year's Eve, he will kill
absolutely no one in the forthcoming year...so, he must kill a massive amount of people
tonight to make up for it, using the sonic-bell, which, when struck, kills everyone within
earshot. For the big New Year's countdown, thousands of Gothamites have gathered at Gotham
Square, where the Joker is awaiting for them... This vignette is great, except fot the
Joker's look...where are his red lips? This also is a landmark for the series...it's the
first episode in the series in which someone gets shot...Batman, of all people!
This episode is good for laughs and just plain old entertainment. No real drama here,
and despite the escalated violence, there is no real sense of darkness. Not great, but not
bad. Some may not like how three stories are crammed into just 20 minutes...that's the
largest weakness of the episode. The episode is entertaining enough to watch once or
twice, but it's basic purpose, to me, was to introduce the new style of the series, and
show how much more they can get away with on the WB than on FOX.
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SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE #1
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
INTERVIEW WITH DIANE "POISON IVY" PERSHING
Ah, we have a very special guest with us for this installment of "Batman: The
Animated Newsletter". We have interviewed writers, artists, and directors of both the
animated series, animated comics, and some of the mainstream comic material, but this is a
first - we actually managed to get one of the voice actors from "Batman: The Animated
Series" to take some time out of her busy schedule to participate in an interview.
Most of us Bat-fans know her best as the voice behind the vixen of vines, Poison Ivy.
So, without further adieu, here is voice-actress and romance novelist, Diane Pershing!
*FANFARE AND APPLAUSE*
TIM#1: Thanks for taking the time out of your busy week to participate in our interview
Diane! I hope it wasn't too much trouble. Now, I know this is probably the toughest
question to ask anyone, but...can you tell us a little about yourself?
DIANE#1: I look nothing like Poison Ivy, for one thing. I'm approaching middle age, was
born and raised in New York, worked in theatre for many years and wound up doing
voiceovers as a way to stay in one town and raise my kids. I currently live in Los Angeles
with those kids, a dog and a cat.
TIM#2: Before you got the role of "Batman: The Animated Series", what other
shows did you work for?
DIANE#2: It's hard to remember them all: Dale on a Flash Gordon cartoon for the old
Filmation series, the Computer on Defenders of the Earth, the lead in The New Centurions,
several guest shots on Smurfs (often as a witch), regular roles on at least three other
shows, but my memory isn't up to speed today, probably because my head is in my latest
book.
TIM#3: And where does the title of romance-novelist come into all this?
DIANE#3: Actors get bored in between jobs, and with voiceovers, which don't take
anything like all day, it's even worse. I began writing as an in-between kind of thing to
utilize my dying brain, first for TV (the old "Love Boat" series), then as a
movie reviewer for several years (I'm a major movie buff), and finally, decided to try my
hand at novel writing.
Romances seemed a fine way to learn the craft - I made the mistake of thinking they
must be easy to write! They're not, but they're fun and I can do that in between gigs, so
I'm a happy camper. I've published several and have two coming out this year.
TIM#4: Which came first?
DIANE#4: Acting for sure, since I was about 4.
TIM#5: Many of us out here love to act and would love to work on a show like
"Batman: The Animated Series". How did you manage to snag this role?
DIANE#5: It was one of those lovely lucky flukes. I had been called in by the voice
director, Andrea Romano, on a different cartoon as a guest shot. While I was there, Andrea
asked if I'd like to read for Poison Ivy - apparently their first choice for the role
wasn't working out and they needed someone right away. I read the part, all the big guys
were in the studio that day, and whammo! It was mine. Just for a reality check--I'd been a
professional actress for many years by then and had been doing cartoons for ten. I was
lucky to be there at that time, but a hell of a lot of hard work went into it before then.
TIM#6: Had you been a Bat-fan prior to joining the cast of BTAS? Had you ever heard of
the character "Poison Ivy" before that?
DIANE #6: No and no.
TIM#7: On the show, many have watched a friendship grow between you and Harley Quinn -
and quite a rivalry grow between you and Two-Face and the Joker. Does this reflect how you
get along with their respective voice actors in real life? Which fellow voice-actors do
you like working with the most?
DIANE#7: Not to destroy any illusions, but it's rare that we all record on the same
day, so it's not like we're all bosom friends. However, when we do, it's such a kick. I'm
not being diplomatic but truthful when I say that all the actors are so much fun, that
half of the session is spent giggling. I've only been in the studio with Harley twice, I
think, and Arleen and I like each other fine. I'm usually lucky enough to get to sit next
to Mark Hamill, who is a delightful man, filled with energy and always asking to do
"just one more take, please."
TIM#8: Which episode that you worked on was your favourite and why?
DIANE #8: I don't remember the name, but it's the one where everyone was a clone and
Poison Ivy wept over the death of her "babies." Or am I confusing two of them?
Uh-oh, not sure.
*TWO-FACE'S "DIVINE" INTERVENTION* I think you're referring to "House
and Garden", Diane - that episode had lotsa mutant plant kids and clones and such
running amuck.
TIM#9: Which episode that you hadn't worked on was your favourite and why?
DIANE#9: (Gulp). I don't watch the show, so I can't answer that. What I have seen is
always terrific, but I don't watch much television at all.
TIM#10: Have you ever provided the voice for any "lesser" characters on the
show, or have you only been Ivy 100% of the time?
DIANE#10: All of us provide other voices--our union allows three voices for one salary,
so of course, the producers take advantage of that. Let me see. From what I remember, I've
done a little girl voice, a newspaper reporter voice, a woman on a cruise ship, a society
matron, I think I screamed a lot for one, but that could be a whole other show.
TIM#11: Being a writer yourself, have you ever had the desire to write (in whole or in
part) an episode of the series? If you were ever offered such an opportunity, would you
take it?
DIANE#11: In truth, the show is about as well-written as any I've ever been on, so I've
never thought anything like, "Boy, could I make this better." As for doing
an episode, it wouldn't happen. Cartoon writing is such a specialty, such a specific
discipline (as is romance-writing, or song-writing or sit-com writing) that getting up to
speed enough to be able to write for it would take a lot of time and effort and I don't
have either right now.
TIM#12: Just as a side-note, how did you find Uma Thurman's portrayal of your character
in "Batman & Robin", that is, assuming you saw the movie?
DIANE#12: I saw some of the movie and I happen to like Uma Thurman as an actress - I
like the chances she takes and the parts she chooses - but what she did was so different
from what I do, I guess I can't compare. She sure did look the part, though!
TIM#13: What does the future have in store for you as far as voice-acting or writing
are concerned?
DIANE#13: I intend to do both till I drop dead. Most actors and writers feel that
way--neither is a career you "retire" from and--knock wood--I've been able to
support myself in a creative community, so I'm most contented.
TIM#14: Any helpful hints you can give to people that want to have a career in either
of these fields?
DIANE#14: Voice acting--take v.o. classes, study others, do an improv workshop, get
microphone technique, make a great demo tape, get established in a small market, then come
to L.A. or New York. Get someone to recommend you to the good agents, but be willing to
start with a smaller, lesser agent and work your way up. Do showcases, take acting
classes, become free and un-selfconscious about yourself.
Writing--write until your artist muscles start to work. Decide what you want to write,
study the market, set a goal, take writing classes, be willing to take criticism but try
to be as objective as you can In both careers, if you're defensive or skittish about
criticism, you will have a tougher time.
As I like to say to both my acting and writing students: Be willing to make an ass of
yourself in public. It's the only way you learn.
TIM#15: Any thing you'd like to say before we close this interview?
DIANE#15: I'm constantly surprised at how popular the show is and how I could recite
every Shakespearean role I've ever done in all the theaters in the world, but the moment I
say I do the voice of Poison Ivy, everyone smiles and thinks I'm a great person. Go
figure. (<g>)
Thanks for asking mt to do this. It was fun. And good luck to all.
TIM#16: Well, thank you for participating, Diane! It was a pleasure speaking with you!
I hope we can do it again sometime in the future. Thank you very much! Hey, wanna join the
newsletter mailing list?
DIANE#16: Nothing personal, but I'd love a copy of this, and then that's it. No time!!!
Thanks Tim
Diane
TIM#??: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer our questionaire, Diane! *CYBER-PRAISE* Take care!
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