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EDITORIAL #2
(by Kelly Tindall)

 

THE ONE-SHOT VILLAIN

 

Lately, I've been noticing something odd - namely, the resurgence of the one-shot villain on Batman Beyond.  It is a practice that seems to be popping up more and more, and I think it's time to dissect the reasons behind the one-shot bad guy.

 

On Batman: The Animated Series, we saw very few one-shot villains.  This made perfect sense, of course.  The writers had decades of proven supervillains to use.  We saw staggering intros to classic villains like Two-Face, Clayface, the Riddler, Poison Ivy, and the Scarecrow.  The only notable one-shot to come out of that show to become a series REGULAR would be Harley Quinn.  Originally scheduled for a single bow (Joker's Favor), Harley weaselled her way into a startling amount of episodes.  (Note: When I mean one-shots, I mean SUPERvillains...regular shmucks like Tony Zucco and Nostromo don't really count.)

 

After the writers were comfortable with the tried-and-true bad guys, we began to see some experimentation.  Bane, a fairly recent addition to Batman's universe, appeared once.  Lock-Up, a miscalculated attempt to replicate Harley's success, popped up in one unmemorable episode.

 

And then it all ended.

 

Once Batman & Robin was cancelled, it seemed the end.  The people on the show split up and went their separate ways, working on other WB shows like Freakazoid! or moving on completely.

 

However, the Max and Dave Fleischer Superman cartoons hadn't really been matched.  So, the challenge that the WB team put upon themselves was to re-imagine the world of Superman.

 

This is where the one-shot comes in.

 

Superman's rogue's gallery is chicken-feed compared to that of Batman (or anyone, for that matter).  Aside from Lex Luthor, Mxyzptlk, and Parasite, there were hardly any notable bad guys.  While the writers busied themselves re-inventing otherwise lame villains like Toyman, others came up with one-shot villains that allowed the personality of Superman to come out.  A one-shot villain appeared on Superman as often as a guest superhero.

 

In episodes like The Main Man (the Preserver), Hand of Fate (Karkull), and In Brightest Day (Sinestro), we see conflicts with simple villains that don't carry the interest to appear again.  This also crossed over into the new Batman shows, with one-shots like Calendar Girl, Farmer Brown, and Roxy Rocket, who (appearances in Knight Time aside) don't really have the appeal of villains like the Joker or Two-Face.

 

Which brings us to The Future...Batman Beyond.  We've already seen one-shots like Lost Soul (whose appearance was clear...to pit a powerless Terry against his own suit, a brilliant and necessary contrivance), Earth Mover (whose sole appearance was to deliver a moral message about loving those that love you), and Patrick the rat-boy (message: even though Terry ain't around a lot, Dana, love him anyway.  He cares for you).  As we can clearly see, their sole appearances lend themselves to moving along the threads that make the show good.

 

The trouble with them is that it becomes difficult to get to know the new stock of bad guys, who I talked about last week.  I'm worried that the new guard of villains like Spellbinder and Stalker aren't going to get the chance to develop personalities...but I guess I have to wait and see.

 

Is the one-shot a bad thing?  You be the judge.  I'm outta here...this is bat country!
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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 landed him a temporary column with this newsletter.  The thoughts and ideas expressed by this shady character are in no way officially connected to Kids WB, Batman Beyond, this newsletter, or anything that is decent or holy.  That said, on with the show.)

 

This is Reliable Source, hoping you all had a very good and filling [American] Thanksgiving. Our letter this week comes from Mason Dixon of Atlanta, Georgia.  Mason writes:

 

"Dear Reliable Source, is it just me or does Batman Beyond really suck lately?  They had it going good in the first season but lately it makes me want to gag myself."

 

Well Mason, lately I find BB to be of such a quality that it actually makes me wish I was watching Pokemon instead.  But before I bestow an insult that incredibly low on the show, one has to keep in mind that the series is really still just getting started.  Whereas with Batman: The Animated Series, the writers had half a century of groundwork already laid out for them, Batman Beyond is all new territory.  So they tend to explore it with formulaic plots and two dimensional characters (anyone see "Rats"?)....

 

Folks, this is where we'd like some input from you.  How is Batman Beyond doing?  Do you agree with Mason Dixon's line, that the show "sucks" and has gone downhill this season?  Or do you think the show is still just as good?  Please, send me your thoughts at Reliable_s@hotmail.com, I'll print what YOU, the readers, have to say.  Make your voices heard!
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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 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.

 

Right now I'm watching the "Homerpalooza" episode of THE SIMPSONS on TV, and it hit me: base a quiz on MUSIC (and the music scene)!  Let's see how this works out, shall we?

 

221. Which was the first episode in which the Harley Quinn theme was used?

 

A: JOKER'S FAVOUR
B: ALMOST GOT 'IM
C: THE LAUGHING FISH
D: HARLEQUINADE
E: HARLEY & IVY

 

222. Which of the following episodes won an Emmy for it's score?

 

A: HEART OF ICE
B: A BULLET FOR BULLOCK
C: TWO-FACE (Pt. 1)
D: OVER THE EDGE
E: THE LAUGHING FISH

 

223. Who composed the original BTAS score?

 

A: Danny Elfman
B: Shirley Walker
C: Michael McCuistion
D: Elliot Goldenthal
E: John Williams

 

224. In which episode did the Nightwing theme first appear?

 

A: YOU SCRATCH MY BACK
B: ANIMAL ACT
C: SINS OF THE FATHER
D: OVER THE EDGE
E: CHEMISTRY

 

225. A choir provides the music during the opening credits of BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM. If popular rumour is correct, what is, in fact, being said?

 

Answer: _____________________
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ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA

 

Answer to #221: E
Answer to #222: B
Answer to #223: A
Answer to #224: A
Answer to #225: Apparently these words are the names of the cast and crew of the movie sung
BACKWARDS. Strange, eh?
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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:

 

CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by "Lisa Blanc")
1) In the episode "Prophecy of Doom", the climax occurs upon a dangling replica of the solar system.  Throughout batman's fight with a con man (I believe his name is Lucas), eight planets are completely destroyed and one is damaged.  However, at the end of the episode, two or three
whole planets, are still hanging from the replica.  How many planets are in the bat-solar
system?
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MERCHANDISING: WHERE THE REAL BAT-CASH IS MADE
(by anyone that wants to contribute)

 

Yes, that's right. We have no designated writer for this column, so anyone that wants to contribute may - just submit an article to the editor and if he approves, you'll see it here! This week our long-time subscriber named "Mage" has this to say:

 

For those avid collectors of anything animated, HasbroCollectors.com is the place to get the batstuff!  For those unaware, currently they are offering four direct 12 inch animated characters.
   (Drum roll...)  Batgirl!  Yes, I said Batgirl, she is wearing the black costume from the New Adventures, and she comes with batarangs and grappling gun.  Very clean looking character too.  Her hair is authentic Barbie style...which means?  You can comb it, style it, doing anything you want with it. She is a keeper!
   Next up is Robin 12 inch...sort of.  Remember he is a kid, so he has to be smaller.  The only problem I have with Robin is the fact that his cloth uniform ends at his waist.  For some reason the guys at Hasbro gave him red plastic legs, no cloth covered ones.  Oh well.  He is still a keeper, he also comes with the same weapons that Batgirl came with. 
   Next on the list of heroes...a new one!  This is the Supergirl 12 inch.  Her design though is a little off.  For one, her head is rather large.  But why complain...she is in the animated style!  Her outfit matches the show to a perfect 10. 
   The last figure in the 12 inch direct line is...(the suspense!)...Harley!!  Yes!  She looks the best!  If that wasn't enough,she comes without any weapons.  That is a good thing?  Yes. Who needs weapons when you have two hyenas!  She is set!  And her paint job is perfect.  The guys at HasbroCollectors.com have outdone themselves...finally.  Making these figures available through them makes it easier for us to get our hands on them.  Do you know what I am talking about?  How many of you actually purchased the 12 inch Joker?  Hard to find, I know.  Well, at least you can add these great figures to your collection, and no headache!  Each figure will set you back $29.95 (shipping included in this price)  What a bargain.  Happy shopping everyone!
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COMIC REVIEWS
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)

 

Alright, I wasn't able to get a review of ANYTHING in for this issue of the newsletter...I'm already covering a zillion things as it is. So, here's where I'm asking for YOUR input. Does anyone here want to review the "animated" comics?  That's right - you'll have to keep up-to-date with BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES, BATMAN BEYOND, and any other animated-Bat-related titles that come out.  Any takers? E-mail me at juno@direct.ca if you're interested. Thanks!
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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. 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 #21
December 1st?
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

 

NEXT MONTH:
Synopsis: Commissioner Gordon and Batgirl are in the spotlight of the first animated comic to hit the shelves in 2000!

 

BATMAN BEYOND #4 (ongoing)
December 22nd?
Synopsis: The Royal Flush Gang returns.
Cover: Unavailable

 

FOLLOWING MONTH: Issue #4.
Synopsis: The Royal Flush Gang returns.
Cover: Unavailable

 

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #40
December 8th?
Synopsis: Unavailable
Cover: Unavailable

 

NEXT MONTH:
Synopsis: Unavailable
Cover: Unavailable