Batman: The Animated Newsletter

SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE #1
(by Dick Grayson)

INTERVIEW WITH MARK EVANIER

Mark Evanier has been around the comic field for a long time, and recently, has contributed to SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. So without further adieu...Mark Evanier!

BTAN1: Could you tell us bit about yourself? Just basically where you were born, grew up, married or not..etc...

ME: Born in Santa Monica, CA on 3/2/52; haven't grown up yet but have lived in L.A. my entire life, almost always in a house full of comic books. Never married, but came close a few times.

BTAN2: How did you first get into writing comics?

ME: Well, I submitted a few things to DC in the late 60's, more for fun than with any notion I might do comics professionally. (Back then, it was pert near impossible to work for a New York comic company long distance, and I didn't really know about the one L.A. company, Gold Key.) In 1969, I met Jack Kirby and I also went to work for a company that sold mail order Marvel merchandise. When Jack went to DC the following year, he asked me to be his assistant...and my friend Mike Royer recommended me to Disney to write comics for them. That led to me writing for Gold Key and, from there on, to other companies.

BTAN3: We all know you worked with the late Jack "The King" Kirby, what was it like?

ME: Jack was an amazing man in ways I am still coming to appreciate. I don't think I was ever in his presence without learning something - about life if not about writing or doing comics. He was very frustrated with the business then - as were many - so it was sometimes a frustrating time for us all. But I really treasure my association with the man.

BTAN4: Did you enjoy writing for Superman: The Animated Series? Why?

ME: Yes, I enjoyed it. It's a very well-done, well-produced show. Often, in this business, you write something not knowing if it's going to be mauled or maimed, by incompetence if not design. It's great to write something with confidence that it'll get first-class treatment from good people. And, of course, Superman is a character I've loved all my existence.

BTAN5: Were the episodes TOOLS OF THE TRADE and FATHER'S DAY just lead-ins to APOKOLIPS...NOW! or will they be crucial in upcoming SUPERMAN episodes?

ME: Well, the idea of TOOLS OF THE TRADE was to introduce Darkseid and Apokolips into the series for many episodes to follow, not merely the one. But most of that's in the hands of Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett. They're guiding the over-all view of the show; I was
just doing a few pieces.

BTAN6: Will you be writing anymore SUPERMAN episodes for this season?

ME: At the moment, there are no episodes in production. Steve Gerber and I did an outline for an episode that may go forward, if and when they start making more. But beyond that, I dunno.

BTAN7: Do you think you've had your chance to write YOUR Superman story (includes comic-wise and animated series wise)?

ME: I'm a firm believer in never being too possessive about other peoples' characters. I've heard others speak of doing THEIR Superman in a manner that struck me as very disrespectful to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. He's their character and always will be. All any of us can do is to do our variations and to hope they do justice. What I'm getting at, I guess, is that I don't have a Superman.

BTAN8: With no new 'Groo' and 'Fanboy' truckin' along, will we be seeing any more mini-series or ongoing series starring these to creations?

ME: Well, we're now finishing one GROO mini-series and we'll be starting another later this year. I think GROO will exist in some form as long as Sergio can hold a pen...though we have some new characters that we also hope to do this year. I'm just finishing the last issue of the FANBOY mini-series and I hope that'll lead to another...but that's up to DC. It's too early to tell if readers want more but I sure hope they do. It's another one of those books that I think I could do forever.

BTAN9: Will we be seeing more New Gods in the future from DC or from WB (in Superman or the possible rumored WB animated movie)?

ME: The WB feature animation division (which is a separate entity from the folks who do the TV cartoons) has a NEW GODS feature in development. I'm acting as Kirby Kreative Konsultant - or something of the sort on it - but I caution all that this feature may never get made or may be a long time in coming if it does get made. The TV animation department wants to do more with the characters but, so far, I don't think anything has been seriously planned.

BTAN10: IN LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE #14 you wrote that issue based on a story idea of Jack Kirby's. Do you think you did a good job translating Jack Kirby's work into that issue?

ME: One can only hope. That's the kind of evaluation I think is best left to others. I can only say that there are some things in the book I would change now...but I feel that way about just about everything I do.

BTAN11: Do you have any words for fans trying to break into writing/drawing for comic books?

ME: Yeah...good luck. This is a very bad time to be trying to get into the field - maybe the worst in my thirty years in comics. For that reason - and also for creative and mental health - I tell writers, "Don't be a comic book writer...be a writer who writes comic books among other things." The same thing applies to artists. I think it's also very important to bring something new to comics, not merely to replicate what others are already doing.

BTAN12: Or/And do you have any words for fans trying to break into writing/animating for...well...cartoons!?

ME: And, sad to say, it ain't a grand time to be trying to hurdle those fences, either. I would suggest something of the opposite here, which is that working in animation increasingly involves devoting one's life to it...immersing yourself in the entire history of the field. I'm not sure why the difference but, at the moment, I wouldn't recommend trying to work in animation as a part-time job or as an adjunct to another career.

BTAN13: And the usual last question, could you give us a tad bit of info on the upcoming two-part Superman/Darkseid episode saga entitled 'Legacy'?

ME: If I could, I would. But I honestly don't know a thing about it. Thanks for asking me to do this.

BTAN: NO, Thank YOU for letting me do this! Its been an honour and I hope you enjoyed the little interview session! Good luck with future projects! Been great chattin' with ya!
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EDITORAL
(by Laura Hysert, aka "Phoenix")

The editorial will return once Ms. Hysert is able to get time to write one in her busy schedule. Sorry about the delay!
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TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
- a column dedicated to "Batman Beyond"
(by Ed Wiser)
ewiser@iglou.com

NOTE: This is a reprint of what Mr. Wiser provided for .)

Like all BTAS fans, I waited for the premier of "Batman Beyond" with mixed feelings. The reason cited for the new show's creation, "TOYS for Kenner," did not seem to be a good one for "Batman Beyond's" existence. As fans of BTAS, we don't look at the resulting franchises that
make money. However, in the business world BTAS is a money making entity. Just look at all the products that BTAS has generated for Warner Brothers and all their licensees. Paper plates, candy, comic books, video tapes, and, or course, action figures are just a few product made using BTAS designs that have made Warner Brothers money. So with "Batman Beyond" the powers-that-be at Warner Brothers are hoping to create a new cash cow. Luckily, the team of writers, artists, and producers of the animated Batman projects have artistic integrity. They have worked hard to make "Batman Beyond" both a succesful money maker and a show Batman animated fans will love.

So on January 10, 1999, I fully enjoyed the new show I had anxiously anticipated these last few months. From its opening to the very end, I was amazed the new show was so good. It was a much darker view of the future than we would have expected, given the press releases. The show was to have been aimed at a younger viewer than the BTAS show, which attracts 21 to 50 year olds. The Japanese animation influence was also a welcome surprise. After receiving the Batman Animated book as a Christmas gift and reading it in a couple days, I looked at the new show in a different light. Think of the teamwork necessary to put the show together, as well as the mix of ideas required to bring the vision of Batman's future to this point. Yes, it would be nice to have more BTAS and STAS shows. It think it is good for the Warner Brothers animation team to stretch their collective creative energies into new areas, as they did in creating the origiinal BTAS show.

In the future, this column will discuss the new chaper in the Batman mythology. We will keep a close eye on how the show will affect the future of both BTAS and STAS. If "Batman Beyond" is as successful as it has proven to be in the first two shows, might a Justice League show be next? Or perhaps another superhero based show that would be a great success?

Batwishes,
Ed Wiser
ewiser@iglou.com
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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.

This issue's quiz was inspired by a comment of one fellow subscriber and close friend, Sarina Wayne. (Yep! Brucie has a wife now...really!) She made a mention that some of the best scenes of BTAS are when Bruce is in the buff. :-) So that inspired me for the subject matter of this quiz...NUDITY!

71. In what episode is Bruce in the buff? (You can't see it all, but it's there, dang it!)

A: PRETTY POISON
B: THE LAST LAUGH
C: THE CAT AND THE CLAW (Pt. 1)
D: MUDSLIDE
E: PAGING THE CRIME DOCTOR

72. Hey, Brucie can do it, so Babs can do it too! When was she in the buff on the series?

A: SHADOW OF THE BAT (Pt. 1)
B: HEART OF STEEL (Pt. 2)
C: HOLIDAY KNIGHTS
D: GIRLS' NIGHT OUT
E: BATGIRL RETURNS

73. Full-frontal statue-nudity has appeared on BTAS at one point. But in what episode?

A: DOUBLE TALK
B: HARLEY & IVY
C: TWO-FACE (Pt. 2)
D: VENDETTA
E: CHEMISTRY

74. In what episode did Harley Quinn appear to be wearing nothing but...pie?

A: GIRLS' NIGHT OUT
B: HARLEQUINADE
C: WORLD'S FINEST (Pt. 2)
D: BEWARE THE CREEPER
E: MAKE 'EM LAUGH

75. Which of the following villains is in the nude all the time, though no one really notices?

A: KILLER CROC
B: MAN-BAT
C: BLIGHT
D: INQUE
E: CLAYFACE
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LITTLE FACTS
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)

Here is a section that just points out various little facts that we have noticed while watching BTAS and STAS countless times. If you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!

CONBTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
1) Didja know that the voice actress for Talia, (Helen Slater) was also the live-action Supergirl? She was!

2) Go watch the most recent episode of Superman, "Superman's Pal". Listen to the soundtrack - notice how they use the EXACT SAME TRACK as was used in BTAS' "Joker's Millions", when the Joker is going about town just acting crazy? Also, the end of this episode had the same theme as "Never Fear".

3) Did 2-D man from the Batman Beyond episode "Heroes" sound a lot like Jack Ryder/the Creeper from BTAS?
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED FIGURES
(by Kevin Smith)

Kevin Smith was unable to provide a new toy review for this issue of "Batman: The Animated Newsletter". He will return soon in an upcoming issue.
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COMIC REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: "The Oldest One in the Book!" (#11)
WRITTEN BY: Ty Templeton
PENCILED BY: Rick Burchett
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: February 3, 1999 (Cover date is April)
RATING: ***** (out of 5)

"I really didn't want to leave you any clues. I really planned never to go back to Arkahm Asylum. But I left you a clue anyway. So I... I have to go back there. Because I might need help. I... I might actually be crazy..." --The Riddler, defeated

SUMMARY: The Riddler has broken out of Arkham and he visits Charles Baxter (CEO of Wacko Toys from "Riddler's Reform") to find a place to stay. He blackmails Baxter into giving him the penthouse at his new hotel, the Cleopatra. Nygma has a grand scheme this time: he will use his compulsion to leave clues, not to his crimes (he won't be committing any), but to those of other criminals'. It begins with a message to Commissioner Gordon which leads Batman and Nightwing to arrest a gang known as the Morning Mob. Nygma likes this "dectective work," and his next clue will be an even bigger one, and he's going to do some major legwork on it. Four days later the police get their second clue which reveals a missing diamond was stolen by its museum's curator. Batman, meanwhile, believes he sees the Riddler's bigger clue: all the clues have playing card references. For his next clue, the Riddler interrogates Boxy Bennet (seen in "Harley's Holiday"), but when Batman uses it to track down a major criminal, he realizes their isn't a card reference. However, something Nightwing says clicks, and Batman knows where to find Eddie. When they get to his suite, they reveal that all his clues included elements adding up to the riddle of the Sphinx (leading them to the Cleopatra) from Oedipus Rex. The Riddler is furious, because he didn't want or mean to send any clues to his whereabouts. He realizes that he has a problem, and he actually needs to return to Arkham.

COMMENTS: This issue is perfect. The Riddler is my favorite villain, and this issue was masterfully put together. Aside from an excellent plot (that would make a great episode of the show), this issue features beautiful art and coloring. Rick Burchett's illustrations convey the feel of the animated series and flow of the story excellently. His variations on the Riddler's costume also shine (including a purple jacket and hat with the new costume, and a green sports jacket with question mark insignia). These make me appreciate the new costume ecen more. Lee Loughridge's colors jump off the page (see bottom, page 14 and panel 2, page 15 especially), creating a vibrant atmosphere that keeps the eye busy. All in all, this was a fantasic episo... I mean, um, comic...

CRITICISMS: I can't think of anything I didn't like about this story!

BOTTOM LINE: This is, by far, one of (if not the) best issues so far, so go pick it up!
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COMIC SCHEDULES & COVERING THE BASICS
This section gives a little bit more indepth look into each monthly issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. We have meshed this section with our "COVERING THE BASICS" section, to make the newsletter much more succint. Below each comic listing is a link to the cover of that comic. TALK ABOUT SERVICE!
The price is $1.99 in the US and..grrrrr....now a whopping $3.25 in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the "grrr".)

"ANIMATED" COMICS

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #12
March 3rd
Two-Face has escaped again, but this time he's been slipped a trick coin that's rigged to come up heads every time. Coupled with his rather tenuous grip on reality, it results in his becoming a suicidal force for good in Gotham. The Judge is also set to re-appear.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmga12.jpg

NEXT MONTH: - It's the return of Mastermind, the Perfessor and Mister Nice (from the pages of the original BATMAN ADVENTURES series)! This criminal trio has faced its share of challenges in the past, but now a visit from a strange child could lead to the dissolution of their partnership, if not their very lives! Can Batman save some of his greatest enemies?
Cover of #13: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmga13.jpg

BATMAN BEYOND #3
March 17th
One of the all-new villains from the Batman Beyond animated series menaces the Batman of the future. As the radioactive foe known as Blight tries to procure a substance that will help him render inert all the sources of power in Gotham City, Batman might have to choose between stopping the villain and saving a group of homeless kids who get in the
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bb/bb3.jpg

NEXT MONTH: Issue #4 - Etrigan, the Demon, makes an appearance.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmb4.jpg

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #31
March 3rd
The conclusion of a two-part story. Blasted a year into the future, Superman stands as the final line of defense for Earth. And the threat he's trying to protect the planet from? Himself.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/sa/sa30.jpg

NEXT MONTH: - Meet Daily Planet janitor Ben Sullivan's girlfriend...Lois Lane? Ben, a mild-mannered staffer with a huge crush on Lois, accidentally becomes the object of the reporter's affections when she's hit by a supervillain's hypnotic device. Now Ben's in seventh heaven while Superman not only must foil a foe who can plant hypnotic suggestions in anyone's mind, but also find a way to break Lois's trance before it becomes irreversible!
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