THE ROAD THROUGH NO MAN'S LAND
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
Yes, I know this isn't really an animated topic, but I thought, hey, it's Batman's 60th anniversary, and this is the big event that celebrates it, so I should have a section dedicated to this year-long crossover. Besides, so far
it's been excellent in every issue. We have this section split up into two parts - the first saying what has already happened, the second previewing what's to come. Enjoy!
UP UNTIL NOW...
After 100 days of absence, Batman has returned, and took down the Ventriloquist and Scarface; Rhino no runs that sector of town under Batman's control. The GCPD have eliminated the "lesser" gangs in Gotham by starting up
a bloody turf war. Batgirl has appeared here and there, and has also encountered Batman himself.
The Scarecrow took up refuge in the "Faith Sector" of town, and tries to get them to get into a major gang-war with the Penguin and Black Mask. The Huntress is the only hope once Father Chris agrees to store Penguin's
weapons at the church in exchange for food. Batman and Huntress eventually take the Scarecrow down - but he's still on the loose. It is then revealed that Batman is not working out of the Batcave anymore, but Arkham Asylum.
Then we see a flashback of Rene Montoya in Downtown Gotham, where she runs into good-Samaritan Two-Face, who is helping the people there, due to the luck of the coin. Batgirl saves a couple from the Joker's old hideout, and Harold
(Batman's mechanic) runs into Gotham to "help fix things".
In earlier March, Batman confronts the Penguin in the Iceberg Lounge - and he wins a small victory, and the Penguin loses some of his power in Gotham; the word of Batman's re-appearance spreads like wildfire. Gordon makes a deal
with the devil - but who is he? Many think it is Two-Face (there are some hints), but no one knows for sure at this point.
In the most recent story, mob boss/cult-leader Black Mask, who owns the largest chunk of Gotham, tries to take the GCPD sector, putting Oracle in grave danger; she is just about to kill him, but Batgirl gets in the way. Batgirl
captures Black Mask; Oracle is infuriated and has a type of emotional breakdown, seeing another person in HER costume. More development between Gordon and his wife Sarah. It also looks like Rene Montoya is NOT the new Batgirl. And
the answer for where Batman deposits the criminals he captures has been solved; Lock-Up and KGBeast are in charge of a prison which now holds Black Mask, Tally Man, and (presumably) the Ventriloquist.
That's 13 issues of NML so far. For a complete list, e-mail us.
WHAT'S TO COME...
-April: Four self-contained stories. Two focusing on Alfred, one on Superman's arrival in Gotham, and one on a nameless civilian just trying to survive.
-May: "Claim-Jumping" (2 parts). The GCPD confront the Penguin, and Batman confronts Two-Face. The Penguin and Two-Face stories are said to be two of the most important segments in the battle in No Man's Land.
-June: Batgirl's identity is revealed. Then, Batman and Robin battle Clayface for the life of Poison Ivy in "Fruit of the Earth" (3 parts).
-Francine Langstrom comes to the Penguin for help, which results in Man-Bat returning to Gotham.
-Batgirl's identity will be revealed in June, in "Legends of the Dark Knight" #120! But rumor is that there will be ANOTHER Batgirl after that.
-See more below.
AS FOR THE OTHER HEROES:
-Robin and Nightwing return to Gotham in June!
-Robin's first duty is to aid Batman in saving Poison Ivy from Clayface.
-Nightwing tries to bring order back to Blackgate prison.
-The Spoiler gives birth in Robin #65.
-Superman arrives in Gotham this April in Batman #566 (the explanation as to why the JLA hasn't helped Batman out in his darkest hour), and will later return in October.
-Catwoman's not really a hero, but I'll include her here anyhow. She's still searching the world for more pretty things. Paris didn't satisfy her - but will New York? She will eventually return to Gotham.
-Azrael will confront the Joker in April.
-A single issue focusing on Alfred's dealings with No Man's Land will also come out soon (LOTDK #118).
-And it seems that new GCPD officer Petit, who has a thirst for blood, gains control of most of the GCPD, leaving Gordon in the cold. I bet Bullock still sticks with 'im, though.
-Speaking of which, a one-shot focussing on how Bullock is handling No Man's Land is also due out.
AND AS FOR THE REMAINING VILLAINS...
-Lock-Up and KGBeast now run the prison in which all criminals are kept.
-Penguin seems to have the only access to points of the world OUTSIDE of Gotham, and basically rules the city, living in luxury. The GCPD will move in on him during the first major turf war in NO MAN'S LAND.
-Two-Face has seized control of the political and financial districts in Downtown Gotham, and has a unique tie to Rene Montoya of the GCPD. While the GCPD confronts the Penguin, Batman tries to take Two-Face down but fails in his
first attempt. Two-Face then releases the Russian assassin "Echo" from Blackgate Prison, who goes on a killing spree, with a bounty on Batgirl's head.
-Poison Ivy has sought refuge in the Robinson Park and turned it into a Garden-of-Eden paradise. But then Clayface appears and turns this Eden into a Hell for Ivy.
-Mr. Freeze seizes control of the power plant to stay alive - and to have something valuable to trade with the rest of society. His story involves - a plumber?
-Bane tries to gain control of the city - again - but has to break in from the outside - across the river filled with land mines. This is in Detective Comics #736, in July.
-Man-Bat appears, thanks to the Penguin
-The Joker doesn't appear as a major player until close to the end, along with the new, improved Harley Quinn - whom will appear with the Joker AND Poison Ivy in August.
-The Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Mr. Zsasz, and various other "lesser" villains have their own chunks of Gotham to rule as well.
-Ra's Al Ghul, meanwhile, is in Washington D.C. battling Anarky in his new ongoing series.
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TWO-FACE'S TRADING POST
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
I know that there are many people out there that collect Batman OR Superman items - like
myself. I only started a year ago and, believe me, finding some of these items (like action figures) that were released a couple years ago is pretty tough! So, I decided to start up a
little section in the newsletter to help out our fellow Bat-fans. I can only personally guarantee that my entries are 100% true, for I saw these items with my own eyes. So we're working on the honour system here. Sound fair?
ALSO if you are LOOKING for something, e-mail me and I can put your request in the "WANT TO BUY" section. There is the possibility that a fellow subscriber is willing to sell what you're looking for!
IMPORTANT QUERY: Many fans have been unable to see any of the new-style BTAS episodes, and any of the STAS or BATMAN BEYOND episodes. Can someone who is in the know point out a website that tells the copyright laws regarding
taping episodes off the TV and selling them to people who want 'em? I'm not saying we're doing this - but I know it would help many out. So if anyone has any official info on this (or, better yet, if someone from the WB network
contact us), that'd be great. In the meantime, we won't be selling or trading any home-recorded BTAS episodes here.
Well, here we go! I hope this helps out someone out there!
1. JOKERZ LEADER. Mail editor Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton if you are interested in the Jokerz Leader figure from the new "Batman Beyond" line, in a near-mint package. Pic available. E-mail: juno@direct.ca
2. KILLER CROC. Editor Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton has a spare Killer Croc figure lying around, in a mint package. Pic available. E-mail juno@direct
if interested.
3. THE MAD HATTER. Yup! Editor Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton has one spare BTAS "Mad Hatter" figure (in a mint-condition package) in his possession that he is willing to get rid of. This is the only Mad Hatter figure
in existance (to our collective knowledge), and is a wonderful figure besides! Sure, that was a shameless plug, but it IS a cool figure. Pic available. If interested, e-mail: juno@direct.ca
4. THE CREEPER. Anyone want this figure? Mail Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton and he'll be able to find one for you. Pic available. E-mail: juno@direct.ca
5. Wow! Look at all this! If you want any of the following, or are even interested, e-mail Craig at NextNexus@aol.com -Scans are available for all the figures, too. All figures are MOC
(mint, on card), and from the various BTAS lines.
Quick-change Bruce Wayne (red outfit)
Quick-change Bruce Wayne in yellow outfit = $35 RARE!
Turbojet Batman
Anti-Freeze Batman
Sky Dive Batman
Decoy Batman (orange "Mask of the Phantasm" card)
Total Armor Batman ("MotP" card)
Robin (w/Turbo Glider)
Dick Grayson/Robin
Ninja Robin
Joker, green face (w/"Laughing Gas" spray gun - original BTAS Joker fig.)
Jet Pack Joker, rare green face ("MotP" card)
Penguin MOC
Mr. Freeze (original deco)
Man-Bat
Clayface
Harley Quinn
Bane (original BTAS card)
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WANTS TO BUY
1. CLAYFACE. Anyone know where to get a "Legends of the Dark Knight" Clayface figure? I know it's not animated, but it still counts for this column...can anyone help? E-mail: juno@direct.ca
2. COMBAT BELT BATMAN, and BTAS BATMOBILE. If you know where to find these figures - or a BTAS Batwing (I'm pretty sure one was made) e-mail this address: cnwitkow@concentric.net
_______________________________
FEATURED BAT-SITES FOR THIS ISSUE
**BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES COMPUTER ICONS**
Anybody interested in having "The New Batman Adventures" characters as icons on their computer desktop can get FREE icons at Iconplanet. This icon site has Batman icons for both Windows and Macintosh users. The icons are
designed in the "new style" that the series currently has and they look great! The Animated Batman library has over 40 icons including virtually every major character in the new-style Batman animated mythos. In fact, the
only notable characters I can think of from the newer episodes that don't have an icon here is Alfred Pennyworth (the only bad point here) and Renee Montoya.
Just when you think it can't get any better than this, THERE'S MORE! The site also has a folder containing icons of the characters from the campy 1960's Batman TV show. Again, these icons are outstanding! In addition to the
expected icons like Batman, Robin, and the major villains, they even have such great items like Catwoman icons of Julie Newmar AND Eartha Kitt, Chief O'Hara, Aunt Harriet and minor villains like King Tut, Egghead, Mad Hatter, and
False Face. They even have the Batphone on there! Again, these are available for both Windows and Macintosh users.
To download, go here: http://www.iconplanet.com
****************
**BATMAN/SUPERMAN CHAT ROOM**
(every night from 8pm - Midnight(ET))
Want a good place to discuss yer favorite animated heroes? There's a new chat room up called simply THE BATMAN/SUPERMAN CHAT ROOM. You can obviously discuss anything Batman/Superman and even Batman Beyond. The chat room is finally
organized with chat times for anyone wanting to
discuss.
Please stop in anytime. I would really like to see this chat room full of fans eager to discuss about their favorite episodes, issues or hero! Just click on the link provided below and start chattin'!
http://pluto.beseen.com/chat/rooms/w/10852
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ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:
* - indicates a shameless plug for a site a certain double-faced editor created with his bare hands - in other words, a cheap advertising technique.
OFFICIAL SITES
-----
THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
http://www.batman-superman.com
BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://www.batmantas.com
BATMAN BEYOND
http://www.batmanbeyond.com
SUB-ZERO: THE DEFINTIE GUIDE
http://www.batman-subzero.com
DC COMICS
http://www.dccomics.com
TOON ZONE
http://www.toonzone.net
RAVING TOY MANIAC
http://www.toymania.com
VOICE CHASERS
http://www.voicechasers.org
UNOFFICIAL SITES
-----
*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
GOTHAM GAZETTE
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED HOMEPAGE
http://www3.sympatico.ca/quartet/home.htm
RA'S AL GHUL'S THE LAZARUS PIT
http://www.aitnet.et/lazaruspit
ANIMANIA
http://hjem.get2net.dk/twt/home.htm
HARLEY'S HAVEN OF HEDONISM
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/harlequinhideaway
THE ANIMATED BAT
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7382/index.html
BATMAN/SUPERMAN SNAP JUDGMENTS
http://www.snapjudgments.com/batsup.html
BATMAN BEYOND MULTIMEDIA
http://www.prophecysite.com/batman.htm
THE BATCOMPUTER
http://members.spree.com/batcomputer
BATMAN: FOREVER KNIGHT
http://batman.techv.net
WORLD'S FINEST
http://members.spree.com/sip/worldsfinest
CHARACTERS ON THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN
http://www.xse.com/leres/batman.html
ARKHAM ASYLUM
http://animation.acmecity.com/saturday/352
JLA: THE ANIMATED SERIES
http://animation.acmecity.com/character/375
THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES: THE UNOFFICIAL SITE
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/5158
MESSAGE BOARDS
-----
HEAVY DUTY DUBBAS DISCUSSION CENTER
http://members.spree.com/sip/hddboards
SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED MESSAGE BOARD
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb158314
NEWSGROUPS
-----
news:alt.comics.batman
news:alt.animation.batman
news:alt.comics.superman
news:rec.arts.sf.superman
news:alt.tv.cartoon-network
news:rec.arts.animation
news:alt.animation.warner-bros
_______________________________
QUESTIONS, SUBMISSIONS, AND FAN-MAIL
If you have any questions, problems, links do not work, or anything else then please e-mail this address with your problems and we'll try to fix them as soon as possible. Also if you'd like to send any fan-mail then please send it
to this address:
juno@direct.ca
As for submissions, feel free to submit an article or opinion on anything pertaining to BTAS. Keep in mind that as the editors, we have the right to edit your submissions if we deem it necessary. Such instances would include
problems with length, grammar, and language. If we do feel we must edit something, however, we will do our utmost to ensure that the opinion and the basic message of the submission does not change, as that is the most important
part of any artcile, and everyone is entitled to it.
_______________________________
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES
The very kind people at TOONZONE were nice enough to give us our own little section of their huge and diverse website. The archives contain past newsletters and is semi-regularly updated with the latest one. To check it out go
here:
TOONZONE's BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/wbc/btan
_______________________________
LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE'S HOW!!!
For those of you who are seeing this at the WBC HOMEPAGE BTAN ARCHIVES section, and want to subscribe just follow these simple instructions:
To subscribe email juno@direct.ca and put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
For more information the newsletter just email btaninfo@yahoo.com
Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading! Tell your friends!
-Tim TWO-FACE Leighton and Dick Grayson, editors
_______________________________
TO ALL GOOD THINGS...
...there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of 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 and "Dick Grayson"
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Brian Cruz
BTAS REVIEWS: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
EDITORIAL: Laura Hysert
BATMAN BEYOND COLUMN: Ed Wiser
COMIC REVIEWS: Aaron Maurer
TOY REVIEW: Kevin Smith
"BTAN ARCHIVES" MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
ROAD THROUGH NO MAN'S LAND: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
TWO-FACE'S TRADING POST: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
PROMOTIONS AND JUST GETTIN' THE WORD AROUND: Dick Grayson, Eileen Delgadillo, Brian Cruz, Brian Davis
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-P Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
DELIVERY: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane (who else?)
All elements in this newsletter have been copyrighted (copywritten?) by DC Comics, 1999.
________________________________
NOTE: The issue's "Subliminal Message" addresses an opinion expressed by a large amount of Bat-fans on the web, and not necessarily that of the editors.
