BTAN #20: I'm eagerly awaiting it already - as I am for your
Huntress minseries. Could you give us any details on the Huntress miniseries
that you're writing? When will be see it hitting the shelves?
GREG #20: The mini will be out sometime in the spring of 2000.
I’m writing it, Rick Burchett is drawing it, and it’s going to lead to some
changes in the character. It starts with the murder of a member of the Gotham
mafia, and it looks like Huntress did it. This may be the death that crosses the
line, because as things progress, Batman, the GCPD, and almost all of the Bat
Squad come after her, trying to bring her down.
But she didn’t do it. Someone is framing her. Question is, who
and why.
In the broadest strokes, basically, Helena has to come to terms
with not only who she is, but who she will become. And she’s given an
opportunity to choose.
BTAN #21: I, as well as many others out there, aspire to
become writers in some medium: for motion pictures, novels, comics, etc.
How did you get into the industry, and is there any advice you could give to us?
GREG #21: The best advice I can give is two-fold (which
you should appreciate). First, you cannot write well if you do not read. It’s
just not possible. So the first obligation of a writer is to read, and to keep
reading. Always have a book going, and find those authors you respect, and
pursue their work. Find what it is that you like. Find what it is that you hate.
But always read.
Second, and this is the harder one, if you really want this
as a life (and frankly, I don’t recommend it, it’s got some perks, but
it’s not nearly as glamorous as people think), you’ve got to commit to it.
Set a word count or a page count and always stick to it. When I started writing,
I wrote 3,000 words a day, rain or shine, and that discipline is vital, and it
is the one thing you can absolutely control. Talent, skill, these things are
given at birth or learned through practice, but discipline, that’s entirely
your own, and you’re to one who can control that. If it takes writing 100,000
bad pages before you write one good one, you’re ahead of the ame. I’m
serious. It takes work, hard work. Writing is not fun. Having written, that’s
fun, in my opinion.
If you commit to the craft, eventually you’ll make it. I
firmly believe that.
BTAN #22: Wow, question #22. I was compelled to ask this
amount of questions - it's probably rather obvious why. Do you have anything
else you'd like to say?
GREG #22: Given the above answer, there’s one more thing,
yes. And that’s despite how it sounds, it’s very cool to be writing Batman.
I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing, all hard-work and trauma
aside.
BTAN: Again, thank you very much for participating in our
interview, Greg! I hope we can do this again soon! We're all looking forward to
your further contributions to the Bat-mythos. Take care!
GREG: Thank you!
____________________________
EDITORAL #1
(by
Laura Hysert, aka "Phoenix")
Oh where, oh where has our Laurrrra gone? Oh where,
or where can she beeeeee? Oh where, oh where has our Laurrrrra gone? I
guess she'll no longer work for freeeeeee....
___________________________
EDITORIAL
#2
(by Kelly Tindall)
Kelly Tindall was unable to submit a review for
this issue of BTAN. He will return
shortly.
___________________________
AND
THAT'S THE FACTS
(by "Reliable Source")
Our Reliable Source was unable to submit any
scoops for this newsletter. Hmmm...just how reliable IS he? Hmmmm...
;-Y
___________________________
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 based on the show. Remember, answer the questions WITHIN
THE CONTEXT OF THE ANIMATED CONTINUITY. Now have fun - let's see how well
you do! Answers are provided below.
YAAAAWWWWWWN...I just don't have the inspiration
for this trivia section like I used to. So here are five questions for ya.
Hope you enjoy 'em. Blahhhh...need coffeeeee....
196. Killer Croc has appeared in an issue of
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. Which characters graced the
cover of this particular
issue?
A: SUPERMAN
B: BATMAN
C: BATGIRL
D: LEX
LUTHOR
E: SUPERGIRL
197. What is Baby-Doll's catch
phrase?
A: "Did I do that?"
B: "Aye
Caramba."
C: "Alright everyone...chill."
D: "I didn't
mean to."
E: "Don't blame me - I'm just a baby."
198. There was one episode of the original
series in which Two-Face was mentioned (but didn't appear) - and in that same
episode, Barbara Gordon DID appear. What episode was this?
A: GIRLS' NIGHT OUT
B: SHADOW OF THE BAT (Pt.
1)
C: BATGIRL RETURNS
D: SHADOW OF THE BAT (Pt. 2)
E: I AM THE
NIGHT
199. "Lady Gotham" (Gotham's version
of the Statue of Liberty) appears in two episodes of the series. Name
them.
A: TWO-FACE (Pt. 1)
B: OFF BALANCE
C: A
BULLET FOR BULLOCK
D: SHADOW OF THE BAT (Pt. 2)
E: LEGENDS OF THE DARK
KNIGHT
200. Which of the following people provides the
voice of Dr. Leslie Thompkins?
A: Mary Kay Bergman
B: Diane Perhsing
C:
Diana Muldaur
D: Stockard Channing
E: Alan
Alda
_____________________________
ANSWERS
TO THE TRIVIA
Answer to #196: A, C
Answer to #197:
D
Answer to #198: E
Answer to #199: B, D
Answer to #200:
C
____________________________
LITTLE
FACTS AND BLOOPERS
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
Here is a section that just points out various
little facts and bloopers 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:
We're
blind!
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by "Peter
Destructo")
1) I spotted another color TV in the Tim Drake Robin origin
story ("Sins of the Father"). Not only that, but there was only
one channel. "You might find an interesting broadcast on TV, Maaster
Bruce" or something like that - he turns it on, magically onto the right
channel, and there Two-Face is, giving his "destroy Gotham" speech.
____________________________
MERCHANDISING:
WHERE THE REAL BAT-CASH IS MADE
(by Kevin Smith)
Oh_Ho77@hotmail.com
You'd think that with all this Bat-merchandies
overcrowding our stores that we'd have SOMETHING to write about here, huh?
Hmmm...we'll get an article in here soon, we
promise!
____________________________
COMIC
REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)
Mr. Maurer was unable to submit a review for the
printing of this newsletter, so editor Tim "Two-Face" Leighton is
here to fill the void.
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: "A
Little Thing" (#19)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILED BY: Tim
Levins
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: October 6, 1999 (Cover date is
December)
RATING: **** (out of 5)
of GOTHAM
ADVENTURES was an absolute joy. I usually find the animated stories that
lack have a big-name villain (or any villain, for that matter), the stories
usually turn out mediocre at best. This tale strays away from the usual
hero/villain structure, and it is pulled off beautifully.
When was the last time we had an animated comic focusing on Robin? It was
the one with Dagger Dixon, wasn't it? 12 issues ago? It's about time he
got back into the spotlight! Robin's upset - fighting crime isn't fun any
more. (Is it supposed to be?) Rather than fighting the usual
big-name rogues, he just wants to spar with some corny, humourous villains; I
thought this was a great throw-back to the 60's series.
It
was cute to see Batgirl dress up as "The Prairie Girl" - even moreso
when Nightwing dresses up as a lion of sorts - and brilliant when Robin
automatically realizes it was them just trying to cheer him up.
(Newsflash, Boy Wonder: the animated Gotham of the 90's doesn't have room for
cheesy villains - aside from Farmer Brown.)
When really
DID surprise me (and Robin, for that matter) was when a new villain named
Chlorophil enters the fray; a couple pages later we find out it was Alfred! Not
only is it a delightful plot twist, it also shows that Alfred still is very
talented as a "superhero".
The art in this issue
has also improved since Peterson's run began; I'm also happy that Beatty and
Levins work on this title.
Every other issue of
Peterson's run so far has been terrific. #15, #17, and #19. This
has put all my fears aside that Peterson wouldn't live up to Templeton's
multi-year run in the animated Bat-realm; the first Wednesday of every month
has never looked so good.
;-Y
____________________________
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. 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...a whopping $3.25 in Canada. (Both our editors and many
subscribers are Canadian, hence the "grrr".)
If we are
unsure of the exact date of when an issue is being released, just check out "DIRECT CURRENTS" at http://www.dccomics.com for
details.
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #20
November
3rd
Synopsis: Poison Ivy makes a comeback in a story featuring none other
than...breakfast cereal?
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/
comics/covers/download/dbmbga20.jpg
NEXT MONTH:
Synopsis: A young girl
has been kidnapped and the only "eye witness" is a blind jazz
musician. Can even Batman, the world's greatest detective, use the
information the old man provides to find the girl before the kidnapper takes
his revenge?
Cover: Unavailable
BATMAN BEYOND #3 (ongoing)
November
24th
Synopsis: The Terrific Trio returns.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/
comics/covers/download/dbmbd3.jpg
FOLLOWING MONTH: Issue #4.
Synopsis: The
Royal Flush Gang returns.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/
comics/covers/download/dbmbd3.jpg
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #39
November
10th?
Synopsis: Unavailable
Cover: Unavailable
NEXT MONTH:
Synopsis:
Unavailable
Cover:
Unavailable
_____________________________
NEWS
AND RUMORS
ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-Terry Beatty has been
and will be selling Gotham Adventures and Batman Beyond original art on ebay. His Seller ID is: wlee@muscanet.com Do yourself a favor
and check out some great art!
-An 8-page preview of the NO MAN'S LAND novel
will be found in DC#741, which hits shelves on December 15. This will
bump up the already large issue to 48 pages; it will cost $2.50 American,
and presumably $3.75 Canadian.
-I can tell you that in Feb. 2000, these
animated films will DEFINANTLY be released:
Batman: Mask
of the Phantasm
Batman: Sub-Zero
World's Finest
Batman Beyond: Rebirth
Check out the
following address for more info: http://www.mania.com.au/~grahark/darkjustice/
"CURRENT" ANIMATED
SERIES'
-BTAS/STAS will return in the fall of 2001 with NEW EPISODES, when
Batman Beyond goes on hiatus.
-Then again, there is ALSO word that BTAS/STAS
WON'T return. So which do we believe? Hopefully
the
first...
BATMAN BEYOND
-**For all YTV (Canadian)
watchers**
On Oct. 31st, YTV claims to be airing episode #14, which is the
episode "JOYRIDE". I'm a bit skeptical about this, for there is no
description of the episode on their website; however, YTV has yet to be
wrong with their schedule, so this looks good!
-You can now catch BEYOND on
the Canadian TV channel GLOBAL, every Saturday morning at 8:30 or
so; check
local listings for the exact times.
-An odd note: Global is really airing
BATMAN BEYOND oddly. Myself, and two other Canadian
companions saw different
episodes of BATMAN BEYOND. We live in differant areas, and we all saw
diferant episodes. Here's the rundown:
OCTOBER 16,
1999
Vancouver, BC: 'HEROES'
Ontario: 'REBIRTH (Pt. 1)'
Fredericton, NB:
'SPELLBOUND'
OCTOBER 23, 1999
Vancouver,
BC: 'SHRIEK'
Ontario: ???
Fredericton, NB: ???
For anyone who lives in Canada, did you see a different
episode? If you did, then please tell us! Post what episode you saw at the
unofficial BATMAN BEYOND Board:
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb163115
-Shriek
will re-appear in BATMAN BEYOND #5, in January.
-Synopses of episodes #17
through 36 have now been posted, thanks to the COMIC BOOK CONTINUUM.
Check out of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER for a complete
listing.
ANIMATED COMICS
-Poison Ivy will be appearing
in GOTHAM ADVENTURES #20.
-Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon will be in the
spotlight for of GOTHAM ADVENTURES.
-Lock-Up is planned to be used
in the near future.
-Ty Templeton's upcoming two-issue stint on Superman
Adventures will be co-written with Dan Slott.
OTHER COMICS
-The solicitations for January
BATMAN and SUPERMAN comics are here! Here are the URLs:
http://www.anotheruniverse.com/comics/january/batman.html
http://www.anotheruniverse.com/comics/january/superman.html
-DETECTIVE
COMICS will be 40 pages long from January thru May (meaning a 30 page story); in
June it will drop to 30 pages, 22 of which will include the main story. It
will sell for $2.50 in the USA, and $3.50 (I'm guessing) in Canada.
-Two-Face
and Solomon Grundy are the focus of DARK VICTORY #4, in January. Solomon Grundy
is on the cover.
-Issue #5 of DARK VICTORY has Catwoman on the
cover.
-Issue #6 of DARK VICTORY features the Penguin on the cover.
-Issue
#7 of DARK VICTORY features Calendar Man on the cover.
-Issue #8 of DARK
VICTORY features the Joker on the cover.
-Issue #9 of DARK VICTORY features
Bruce and Dick on the cover.
- of DARK VICTORY will feature Mr.
Freeze
- of DARK VICTORY will feature Poison Ivy on the
cover.
- of DARK VICTORY features Two-Face on the cover.
-Batman,
Robin, Gordon, Two-Face, Catwoman, and the Joker will have large recurring roles
throughout DARK VICTORY.
-Wanna read what Rucka and Grayson have set for
the final two months of NML? There are some slight spoilers and ALOT of
teasers! This article will no doubt make any heavy NML enthusiast very
excited for the NML finale. The URL is:
http://www.anotheruniverse.com/comics/interviews/rucka101599.html
MOVIES
-Apparently the straight-to-video
BATMAN BEYOND movie being released in December 2000 will reveal what
happened to both Tim Drake and the Joker. It will be out by November 7,
2000.
-There are two live-action movies in the works right now. One is
the YEAR ONE movie we've been hearing so much about; the other is a
live-action BATMAN BEYOND film, which Keanu Reeves was referring to a couple
weeks ago. (We printed that story in this column.) After his work on THE MATRIX (parts 2 and 3) is over, expect to hear more about it.
TOYS & MERCHANDISE
-If you weren't
already aware, Warner Bros. Stores have begun to receive the WB Miniature Classic Collection! There are 10 from the original
BTAS: Batman, Robin,
Batgirl, Joker, Harley, Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, and Poison
Ivy!
-The new line of Batman bean bags have been out since September at
least: Batman "Beyond", Riddler, Penguin, Joker,
Harley.
-Last item from Previews is the new porcelain statue of Harley based
on Bruce Timm's design. It's pretty darn expensive though. There
are pics in WIZARD #99.
-The new Batman Beyond Maquette and two limited
edition Batman Beyond gallery pieces are both available from wbstore.com, as
are the Ron Lee mini-Batgirl porcelain figure, The History of Batmobile Cars
(gallery piece), Batman/Superman vinyl coin bank (not to mention the cookie jar), medium Batman bust (smaller $20 version of the $55 bust)
-A BATMAN
BEYOND costume will be available in Kmart, Target, and Wal-Mart for this
upcoming Halloween.
-The SUPERMAN video game for Playstation will be out
in the first quarter of 2000.
-A Batman and Robin game (animated style,
probably) will be released on the Sega Dreamcast in the second half of
2000.
