Batman: The Animated Newsletter

Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of October 18 - October 23/24, 1999
Volume 2,
Rated: PG for some "low-key coarse language and occasional griping"

THIS ISSUE'S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: "VICTOR TO NORA: 'Would you like FRIES with that?' HEH HEH."
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COMING SOON
In of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER we will be presenting an interview with famed NO MAN'S LAND/DETECTIVE COMICS/FINDER/KEEPER/SMOKER writer GREG RUCKA. Be there! It'll be something you don't want to miss!
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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.

'BLOOD SPORT'
Batman Beyond #18
Air date: October 23, 1999
The Stalker - a cybernetically enhanced wild animal hunter - grows bored with Big Game and goes after the only challenge left in the world: Batman.

'ONCE BURNED'
Batman Beyond #20
Air date: November 6, 1999
Batman/Terry's emotional resolve is put to the test when an old girlfriend, who also happens to be the notorious Ten of the Royal Flush Gang, reverts back to a life of crime. The situation becomes further complicated when he learns that she's being forced to steal to save her family from kidnappers.

'LEGACY (Pt. 1 & 2)'
Superman #44, 48
Air date: Fall of 1999
This two-parter features the final showdown between Superman and Darksied in which he strips Superman of his memory and adopts him as a son in an effort to take over Earth. This is being touted as the FINAL Superman episode EVER. However, I must say that I've read a synopsis of the episode, and it's a doozie.

For synopses of all other upcoming BATMAN BETOND episodes, check out of BTAN at this address:

http://www.toonzone.net/wbc/newsletters/btan
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WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Brian Cruz and/or the official BTAS/STAS site)

THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES airs Mondays thru Fridays beginning at 4pm (ET). It also airs every weekend at 8am (ET). BATMAN BEYOND airs on the occasional weekday at 4pm (ET), sharing the time slot with THE NEW BATMAN/SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. BATMAN BEYOND also airs every weekend at 9am (ET). Check your local listings for time and station in your area. If this newsletter section is not updated in time, please refer to either of these three links for schedule information:

http://www.batman-superman.com/batman/cmp/episodes.html
http://www.toonzone.net/brian/schedules/
http://www.ktla.com/rebuild/programming/kids_framed.htm

THIS WEEK:
Mon 10-18-99: B-BEYOND #04 Golem
Batman #92 Joker's Millions

Tue 10-19-99: Superman #16 Action Figures
Batman #99 Critters

Wed 10-20-99: Batman #52 Mudslide
Superman #36 Warrior Queen

Thu 10-21-99: Superman #30 Bizzaro's World
Batman #71 The Terrible Trio

Fri 10-22-99: B-BEYOND #13 Ascension
Batman #102 Old Wounds

Sat 10-23-99: Superman #53 Unity
B-BEYOND #18 Blood Sport ---------NEW!!!

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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CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BTAS/BEYOND on YTV)
(courtesy of our friends at YTV)

-To find the episode guide and airing schedule of BATMAN on YTV then please go to http://www.ytv.com and click on the YTV GUIDE icon at the bottom of the screen. To check out the schedule then click on BATMAN in the time grid and it will have the schedule for the current week.
-To find the episode guide and airing schedule of BATMAN BEYOND on YTV then please go to this http://www.ytv.com and click on the YTV GUIDE icon at the bottom of the screen. To check out the schedule then click on BATMAN BEYOND in the time grid and it will have the schedule for the current week.

BTAS will air at 7:30am on weekday mornings (in all time zones), and BEYOND will air at 2:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. YTV has the rights to show all 109 BTAS episodes; it is still unclear as to whether they'll be showing any of the new STAS or BEYOND episodes as of yet, but we'll keep you posted!

THIS WEEK:
Mon 10-19-99: BTAS #30 Perchance to Dream

Tue 10-20-99: BTAS #06 The Underdwellers

Wed 10-21-99: BTAS #34 Night of the Ninja

Thu 10-22-99: BTAS #36 The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne

Fri 10-22-99: BTAS #41 Tyger, Tyger

Sat 10-23-99: BEYOND #12 Disappearing Inque

Sun 10-24-99: BEYOND #11 A Touch of Curare
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CARTOON NETWORK WB ANIMATION SCHEDULE:
"Yabba Dabba Doom"
(courtesy of Brian Cruz)

THE CARTOON NETWORK was able to get the exclusive rights to 52 episodes of the classic BTAS, as well as both animated movies. BTAS airs Monday-Friday at 6pm (ET) and then repeated again at midnight. If our schedule listings is not complete or up to date then please go to either of these sites for the schedule:

http://www.toonzone.net/brian/schedules/batman-cn.html
http://animation.acmecity.com/saturday/352/

To see the 52 episodes that the CARTOON NETWORK does show, go to this link:

http://www.toonzone.net/brian/eplists/batman-cn.html

NOTE: The schedules at Brian Cruz' site are currently unavailable; if anyone knows of any other place where people can get listings for BTAS on the Cartoon Network, please e-mail us!
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EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILERS!)
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)

All of Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton's reviews of the new-style BTAS episodes and BATMAN BEYOND can be found via these links, which link to "Two-Face's Tower of Tranquility and Terror":

MAIN PAGE: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFace/index.html
BTAS PAGE: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/TimTwoFaceText/bats.html

NOTE: Due to the loss of the WGN, editor Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton has been unable to review any new episodes. Until he can once again, we'll be having someone substituting for him. Thank you to Zanna for this review!

<BATMAN BEYOND>
JOYRIDE
Written by Stan Berkowitz
Directed by Butch Lukiz
Animation by Koko, Dong Yang
Original air date October 2, 1999
My rating: **** (out of five stars)

The Jokerz gang are at the right place at the right time to take a "Joyride" on an experimental government craft. The vehicle is nuclear powered, which in this future is illegal, and still worse, the reactor is malfunctioning.

The Jokerz drive the stolen craft into the BeeFee Burger for free take out and mayhem. Terry witnesses the antics. He activates a signal on his belt buckle (nice touch), makes a fast change into the Bat suit, and the Batmobile arrives via autopilot. The chase is on!

GOOD POINTS:
As the producers promised for this season's stories, Terry looks less of a sidekick and more of a Batman. Terry leaves behind his wisecracks and is more intimidating, even when he says, "Please". Loved that line!

The writers keep giving BTAS and TBSA fans little hints about past characters. This episode showed a skeleton wearing a tattered jacket with a pink flower in the lapel in the abandoned mine scene. A former Jokerz member, or Mr. J. himself? The use of a flashlight in the mine scene was effective and well rendered, too.

The ejection seat idea was great! What's a Batman series without one!

This episode reminded me of the early BTAS stories which featured mob bosses, not deranged arch-criminals. The Jokerz and the T's are in costumes because they are in gangs, not because of genetic mutations, chemical accidents, or various forms of insanity. Sometimes Batman should deal with the more mundane criminals (even those stupid enough to use a rubber chicken as a weapon).

I liked the ending. The subplot about the unininitiated gang member, Lee, ran a subtle thread about gangs throughout the episode.

BAD POINTS:
Bruce was an observer in this episode -- he only had three words, "So stop them!" I miss hearing Bruce's voice. (It's a girl thing!)

While I like the little hints about the past, it's a bit like Chinese water torture. But, a note to the writers, DON'T STOP!

Zanna_Z@Yahoo.com
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EDITORAL #1
(by Laura Hysert, aka "Phoenix")

Laura Hysert was unable to send us an article...so, to fill in for her, we have Craig "Gookie" Crumpton, giving us a review of a recent article highlighting BATMAN BEYOND. Enjoy!

BATMAN BEYOND ARTICLE REVIEW
(by "Gookie")

I've been bursting at the seams to spill the beans on this...

The Winter Edition (Volume 1, #4) of AnimeFantastique has an incredibly in-depth article on Batman Beyond, written by Dennis Fischer. Okay, so it's not actually 15 full pages - 2 of them are opening splash pages with the logo and Terry as Batman. And you gotta love this opening teaser: He de-powered the Power Rangers and forced ABC to endure One rough Saturday Morning. This article is overflowing with some very specific details on the characters, backgrounds and a great deal of insight into the production and development of the series.

Several of the "key players" for the show were interviewed extensively for this article - Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett and also voice director Andrea Romano. There are also recent photos of each of them (except Romano) in their "natural habitat". It's easily the most detailed and informative article published on BB to date. Also included are a number of background pics (free of any characters mucking up your detailed viewing of them), screen grabs, model sheets, details on the voice characterizations, 2 pages on the show's design, and an episode guide of the whole first season with "behind-the-scenes" details from Timm, Dini and Burnett.

Just to whet your appetite, here are a few samples from the article. Oh, a word of caution: POTENTIAL SPOILERS lay ahead.

On Terry's past, from Alan Burnett:

"We are...starting to add to his background. A few years before [Terry became Batman], he was actually in juvenile hall... things had gotten that bad for him. So he's a troubled kid who is now making good and is determined to proven himself beyond just avenging his father's death."

Paul Dini further explains:

"Initially, when we [were developing Terry's character], and told his story with him avenging his father's death, we asked, 'What's going to come up?' Theoretically, he's avenged his father's death and brought [those to justice] who did it; why should he go on being Batman? We decided to...tweak it and give him more of an ongoing mission and responsibility."

According to Dini, a Batman who has been a lawbreaker himself will likely have more compassion for the criminals he apprehends: "We want to make him into somebody who has seen both sides of the law so there will be some compassion there. But there will also be a sense of responsibility to society as a whole."

Alan Burnett on Derek Powers:

"We [wanted] a central villain for the series, at least for the first season. By the time this gets published, you'll find out that he dies in the thirteenth show." [I guess that puts to rest any rumors of Blight's having survived that episode. --G]

On the Background Music:

This one should be kinda obvious to some, but the inspiration for BB's "orchestration" came from Bruce Timm's providing Shirley Walker with music by Nine Inch Nails, White Zombie and the Propellerheads, telling her, "If you guys are going to get this gig, the music has got to sound really ballsy, has to sound much nastier than you have ever envisioned before."

Paul Dini on Censorship:

"The biggest complaint [from the censors] was about sexuality. I have a number of really, really excellent artists on staff who just excel at drawing pretty girls, and I have a lot of really red-blooded males doing the storyboards...so they truly like to push the envelope in terms of good girl art."

Dini on the possibility of "returning" villains:

"A lot of our [new] villains [have] their origin in the older villains. Spellbinder comes from the same family as the Mad Hatter. We've only really featured one of the old villains, Mr. Freeze, [though] Bane [had a cameo appearance] in his old, old age... which isn't all that good for him. That's all you'll ever see of him. Ra's Al Ghul is in there somewhere, and we haven't dealt with him yet, though we have a couple of ideas that we'll hold back on until we figure out what we want to do for sure. For the most part, we're going to hit new villains in this series and not have resurrections going on." [This puts to rest yet more rumors rather matter-
of-factly. -G]

And one other detail fans will be interested to know - Bruce Wayne does regain control of his company.

-Gookie

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EDITORIAL #2
(by Kelly Tindall)

Kelly Tindall was unable to submit a review for this issue of BTAN. He will return shortly.
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AND THAT'S THE FACTS
(by "Reliable Source")

(Yes, I understand that the title is grammatically incorrect. So sue us. Actually, nix that. Don't sue us.)

(DISCLAIMER: For those of you who are not yet familiar, Reliable Source is an anonymous character who first surfaced on Batman: The Animated Message Boards, spewing forth ridiculous predictions about the future of Batman Beyond under the guise of spoiler warnings. His controversial posts created quite a buzz, and have now landed him, at least at this moment, a temporary column with this newsletter. The thoughts and ideas expressed by this character are in no way officially connected to Kids WB, Batman Beyond, this newsletter, or anything that is decent or holy.)

Greetings and salutations. This is Reliable Source, back once again for another edition. We'll kick things off the same way that we have as of late, with a reach into the old mailbag and a question from one of our readers.

This week's letter comes from Onyx The Sorceress. Miss Onyx writes: "A lot of people complain about the lack of plot in the episodes. Do you think the Batman Beyond episodes would be better if the fans' fanfictions were used instead, or not?"

Well, you bring up an interesting point. The thing most people don't realize is that much of what ends up on the show is actually written by fans. You see, the target audience for B.B. is kids. Because of that, WB has taken the revolutionary step of hiring children for their writing teams.

For example, Hilary J. Bader. She is only four years old. And she does a damn good job, for a four year old. But seriously, folks, fanfiction is a great thing. It allows fans of a particular series to create their own ideal stories for the show that they love. I myself enjoy fanfiction very much, like the one where Harley and Ivy realize their true passion for... um, well, thanks for writing in, Onyx, perhaps I best move on.

In other news, WB was apparently threatened with the potential menace of the sure-to-be-blockbuster "Spider-Man Unlimited." The execs at Warner balked and sold the rights to B.B. to Saban Entertainment. Saban has announced that the title of the show will be changed to "Batman Zeo," and will feature Terry training a whole team of Batmen to become The Batman Rangers. Spinoffs are already in the works, including the much anticipated "Batman Rangers In Space."

As for the upcoming Batman Beyond movie by Dini and Timm, Saban has purchased the rights to it as well. It will now be live action, with Will Friedle playing Terry McGinnis. However, all the action scenes will be taken from bad Japanese kids shows, with Mr. Friedle dubbing in the voice. Bruce Wayne will now be a big head in a giant glass tube thing, and most of the enemies Terry fights will look "like muppets on steroids, just like every piece of crap show we do," muttered one disgruntled Saban exec.

Will we ever see the WB episodes that were already produced? No one is saying right now, but Hiaram Saban himself only laughed maniacally as he threw a film canister into his fire place. Draw your own conclusions. And the toy lines? "They will suck more than ever, we will see to that," said the spokesman for Hasbro Inc. "Watch, we will make the first line of figures look like masterpieces. I promise." I was then beaten severely and thrown out a second story window once they realized I was a reliable source reporting for a newsletter.

Unfortunately that brings us to the end of another column. Thanks for taking the time to read this (those of you that still are reading at this point), and thank you to Onyx for writing. You too can have your letter featured here, by dropping me a line at Reliable_S@hotmail.com. As always, more as we hear it.