SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE (#2)

 

The following was brought to us by our long-time friend and scooper THX1138. He found this article, written by a guy named Moriority at the AIN'T IT COOL NEWS website. Enjoy!

 

DINI GOES BEYOND IN A BIG WAY

 

Speaking of sins, Warner Bros and the professional chickenheads who are in charge of the Batman property at the studio continue to demonstrate time and time again that they not only lack any understanding of the character whatsoever, but that they resent anyone who does get it. If you're like me, eagerly awaiting the release of BATMAN BEYOND: THE RETURN OF THE JOKER at some point this year, then you understand what I'm talking about.

 

Warner Bros has treated their Batman programming on Saturday mornings so badly that, I'll admit, I got tired of tuning in. Slowly but surely, POKEMON has taken over the entire lineup, and it's a shame. It was exciting to see smart, emotionally mature stories being told in animation week in and week out by the crew of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. It's gone through several incarnations, each of them offering a wealth of pleasures. BATMAN BEYOND was a show
that was born out of the needs of merchandisers that somehow, impossibly, was really good. Paul Dini's keen understanding of the Batman archetype allows for radical reinventions like the introduction of Terry McGinnis and the new technologically advanced Batsuit because he never loses sight of what makes the character function. His aged Bruce Wayne is at least as solid an interpretation as Frank Miller's in THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.

 

The first time Dini wrote a BATMAN film, it was MASK OF THE PHANTASM (TWO-FACE's note: actually, Alan Burnett wrote the script, Dini just touched it up in some places, as did some other writers), a very good film that highlights many of the show's virtures. There's an economy to the storytelling, ironic when you consider how much more liberating it is to tell a superhero story in animation than in live-action as with Schumacher's painful BATMAN IN RUBBER. Dini did permanent things to Bruce Wayne in MOTP, things that had permanent results for the character. In the Gotham City that Dini imagines, these characters grow and age and build up scar tissue that makes them different people over time. It's similar to what happened to James Bond in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, except Dini's never just shrugged off the history of the characters. He remembers, and the work is better for it.

 

Now, with the first feature length BATMAN BEYOND story, Dini takes a major step forward as a storyteller. This is a brutal, sad story that I didn't expect at all. If you've ever wondered what the real toll of being Batman is, this film shows it. There are answers given to us here that the series raised, like what happened to The Joker? What happened to Tim Drake, the second Robin? Just when exactly did Batman hang it up and why? When the Joker reappears in Gotham, seemingly without having changed a bit, both Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis are pulled into a bizarre mystery that is not only genuinely disturbing, but also affecting. The climax of the piece is one of the single finest moments I've ever read involving the characters, summing up so many thoughts about the entire idea of being a hero, of doing these remarkable things. It's daring, and it's not what I would call "comic book" on any level. Not many mainstream live action films have taken the time to lay the groundwork that's present, the history that's been established, and there's a weight here that can't be denied because of all that.

 

I know this isn't going to be released until October of 2000, but I'm hoping it will show at the San Diego ComiCon this year or some other similar event so that I can sneak an early peek. It's been a long time since I was this excited about an upcoming Batman film. It's been a long time since there's been a major Batman story involving the Joker, simply my favorite character in comic history. I'm just glad that even with all the heartbreaks that Batfans have had to withstand this decade, there's been one team of people at work to consistently make sure that we didn't simply give up altogether. I sincerely believe that RETURN OF THE JOKER is a fitting cap to their spectacular run.
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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.

 

Entitled: "ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE CONCIEVED ASKING"

 

291. Which character is sometimes referred to as "The Demon's Head"?

 

A: Klarion the Witch-Boy
B: The Demon/Jason Blood
C: The Joker
D: Ra's Al Ghul
E: Blight

 

292. Which of the characters that survived in the movie "Mask of the Phantasm" died in a story printed afterwards ("Elseworlds" tales don't count)?

 

A: Rupert Thorne
B: Andrea Beaumont
C: Arthur Reeves
D: Jack Napier
E: Salvatore Valestra

 

293. Which of the following episodes did Dong Yang NOT animate?

 

A: HOLIDAY KNIGHTS
B: JUDGEMENT DAY
C: ANIMAL ACT
D: MEAN SEASONS
E: MAD LOVE

 

294. Two of the new-style BTAS episodes featured a direct homage to Bob Kane (using the word "Kane" in the episode in some way) - which episodes were these?

 

A: ANIMAL ACT
B: OVER THE EDGE
C: WORLD'S FINEST (any part)
D: SINS OF THE FATHER
E: GROWING PAINS

 

295. Which of the following people have NOT provided a voice for a costumed heroine on BTAS?

 

A: Melissa Gilbert
B: Kath Soucie
C: Mary Kay Bergman
D: Anndi McAfee
E: Tara Charendoff
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)

 

Answer to #291: D
Answer to #292: C
Answer to #293: D
Answer to #294: A, E
Answer to #295: B
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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!

 

CONTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
Alas, we here at the newsletter were unable to spot any new little facts OR bloopers over the past week. For that, we apologize. Really.

 

CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by "Ken All Night Rocker")
1) At the end of the Dick Sprang/Bill Finger segment in "Legends of the Dark Knight", where the Caped Crusader and The Boy Wonder put the Joker into custody (so to speak) Batman says to Robin, "Well done, old chum!" and they shake hands. This looks almost exactly like the hands-shaking bit in the opening cartoon sequence in the 1960s BATMAN television show. Is it an homage? OF COURSE!
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MERCHANDISING: WHERE THE REAL BAT-CASH IS MADE
(by anyone who cares to contribute)

 

Come on, contribute! Someone! Please?  :-)
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
(BATMAN BEYOND by Tim Wan)
(SUPERMAN ADVENTURES by Dick Grayson)

 

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUES: "Missed Connections" (#24)
WRITTEN BY: Scott Peterson
PENCILLED BY: Terry Levins
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: March 1, 2000 (cover date, May 2000)
RATING (out of 5): ***1/2

 

It seems like Peterson is finally getting a grasp on this title. When he started nine issues ago, he had a few stand-out issues, but they alternated with a number of very poor ones. Recently these said poor ones have been upgraded to "good", and occasional great issue still remains.  He's not the same as Templeton, but he's getting closer and closer. Either way, the title is still a great read.

 

I'm growing accustomed to Peterson's splash on page one - it's a great way to introduce the story. The story itself is very simple, but a good one. Robin and Nightwing are captured by an unknown individual while attempting to save a fellow Gothamite; even Killer Croc gets trapped.

 

When Batman and Batgirl investigate, the story finally begins to take shape. Catwoman - a total surprise to me - shows up and gives us all the details. Her last meeting with Batman, way back in Issue #4 (great issue, too - go pick it up) resulted in a big change in her relationship with him; she had become a lot darker, more violent, and even more distant from the object of her affections. Here, she tries to make ammends - by trapping Batman so he and she can have their long-overdue conversation.  Of course, Catwoman doesn't get her wish, and of course, she gets away; Batgirl's conversation with Batman on the final page is quite enlightening, though. Does Batman still have SOME feelings for her, deep down inside?

 

And that's not all! There are many other little things to notice in here. Levins and Beatty are a terrific team, as always...the shading used when Robin and Nightwing are trapped is terrific, the colours used during the bridge sequence were terrific, and Batman and Catwoman's chase through Gotham was superb.  Sure, the dialogue lacked during that sequence, making this issue a rather quick read, but I still really enjoyed it.

 

It's nice to see Dick dating other people now - it'd be interesting to see an issue dedicated to this, and how Barbara would react.  I see that Batgirl's "scar" under her right eye (that I pointed out in my review of ) is still present, too. I DID notice, however, that Catwoman's ghostly complexion was absent - she's gone back to having a nice peachy skin-tone now. But why the change?  I also wish that Killer Croc got to do a bit more than just be brainless, tough, and mean - but hey, I'm not complaining. His inclusion was kinda fun.

 

Overall, a great issue. I can't wait until the double-sized issue next month!

 

;-Y
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