SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE
INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG ROUSSEAU
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
Yes, you've seen the name. Whether it's been on eBay or in the credits to GOTHAM ADVENTURES and BATMAN BEYOND comics, it's tough for any true "animated" Bat-fan to have not come across Rousseau's name in recent months. Craig has agreed to do this
interview with us, so, without further adieu, let's begin!
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER #1: Hi Craig! Thank you very much for agreeing to participate in this interview. Before we begin, could you tell us a little about yourself?
CRAIG ROUSSEAU #1: Well, let's see...I'm a guy who's lucky enough to get to do what he loves for a living ...and i've got two dogs.
BTAN #2: How did you first get involved with the comics industry? Is this where you thought your career path would take you in your younger years?
CRAIG #2: I went to college here in Massachusetts for 2 degrees (in fine arts and illustration), thinking I would do more conventional illustration for a living...but i ended up making connections at Marvel (and then DC) and found myself working on comics .
BTAN #3: Could you tell us how you got the job of penciling for GOTHAM ADVENTURES/BATMAN BEYOND?
CRAIG #3: After two years working on IMPULSE for DC, I felt like it was time to try something new. Seeing as how I thought the BATMAN cartoons (and animated comics) were the best out there, I did a few sample pages and happened to meet with Darren Vincenzo, right
at the time Rick Burchett was starting to work on other projects; Darren gave me a shot at a few covers and fill-in issues...and lucked into snagging [the] BATMAN BEYOND [series]!
BTAN #4: Was Batman your favourite hero growing up? Did you have any other favourites?
CRAIG #4: I was actually a big Marvel fan as a kid, so i'd hafta say Wonderman and Beast were my favourites; but I came around eventually! (although I did love all the Batman stuff on TV!)
BTAN #5: I forget when exactly it happened, but why did you move from working at GOTHAM ADVENTURES to BATMAN BEYOND? Was that your own choice?
CRAIG #5: DC was starting an ongoing based on the success of the BATMAN BEYOND miniseries and Darren offered my the job, and I jumped at it!
BTAN #6: Is it different working for each series?
CRAIG #6: Well, Hilary J. Bader's scripts seem to pack a LOT into an issue (like an episode of the show).
BTAN #7: Do you pencil for any other series' at the moment? Aside from IMPULSE, what other titles have you worked for in the past?
CRAIG #7: I worked on a few short stories in the 80 page giants and secret files, but now, BATMAN BEYOND is keeping me busy . . .
BTAN #8: What character designs do you like the most?
CRAIG #8: I really love the streamlined designs on THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES.
BTAN #9: What is your favourite issue that you've produced to date?
CRAIG #9: whenever I look at the books, i just see all the mistakes I made and think "ugh". I'd say that I liked some of the Man-Bat story in GOTHAM ADVENTURES () and some of the stuff in [the forthcoming] Issue #9 of BATMAN BEYOND. I also
really liked the Terrific Trio story we [originally] did way back for issue 3!
BTAN #10: Which writer have you enjoyed working with the most thus far?
CRAIG #10: I really enjoyed working with Scott Peterson's scripts on GOTHAM ADVENTURES, but that's not to say I don't love working with Hilary's BATMAN BEYOND scripts.
BTAN #11: Which inker have you enjoyed working with the most thus far?
CRAIG #11: Geez, that'd have to be a toss-up between Rob Leigh and Terry Beatty...
BTAN #12: What influences are there on your penciling?
CRAIG #12: You mean besides all the folks who've worked on the shows and books?! I'm a huge fan of Mignola.
BTAN #13: Is there anyone you'd like to work with in the future in a regular series or on a special project?
CRAIG #13: I'm actually getting to work with my old editor, Darren Vincenzo, on the adaptation of RETURN OF THE JOKER...does that count?
BTAN #14: Definately! Also, have you ever considered working as an inker or a writer?
CRAIG #14: Yes (on my own pencils), and occasionally.
BTAN #15: What is your opinion of the animated series in general? Who are your favourite characters and what are your episodes/comic issues? Any jump to mind?
CRAIG #15: For the most part, I think they're exceptional, my favourites being the WORLD'S FINEST three-parter, the BATMAN BEYOND premiere, and the OVER THE EDGE episode.
BTAN #16: Which Batman-related character can you most closely relate to and why?
CRAIG #16: Hmmmn, that's a good one...i'll get back to you there. (I guess I'd say Bullock , 'cause we both have a thing for donuts...mmmmmm, donuts!)
BTAN #17: I recently noticed that a new penciller named Min Ku jumped aboard BATMAN BEYOND with Issue #7 with Spellbinder. What do you think of his talents? Are you leaving BATMAN BEYOND and being replaced, or just taking a break? (It wouldn't seem so...I
saw that you're back in Issue #8). Either way, what's the situation there?
CRAIG #17: When Joe Illidge came on as editor, he scheduled a fill-in issue to get us back on track - we lost a month working on the terrific trio issue that we never used! He hired the very talented Mr. Ku.
BTAN #18: OK, inside scoop time: any chance that the long-thought-dead-but-probably-not-villain Blight will return in the near future?
CRAIG #18: Not that i know of!
BTAN #19: What do we have to look forward to in the BATMAN BEYOND series?
CRAIG #19: We've got a Curare story (in issue #9), a (sort of) Golem story (in ), the return of Terminal's gang (from HIDDEN AGENDA), and more...not to mention the adaptation of RETURN OF THE JOKER (plug, plug)!
BTAN #20: If you had total creative freedom with the animated Bat-world, what would you like to do? What story would you like to draw?
CRAIG #20: I don't know if they can top the cool stuff i get to do in the RETURN OF THE JOKER story...it's got it all! I WOULD like to do an animated Deadman story with BATMAN BEYOND, though.
BTAN #21: Craig, many of our subscribers aspire to be a part of the comics industry in the future. Do you have any advice on how to get their art - or writing - into the hands of editors? Is submitting a portfolio via the DCComics web site a good start?
CRAIG #21: The best bet is actually getting to meet with an editor, and the best place for that is one of the bigger conventions.
BTAN #22: Is there anything else you'd like to say before we close for the day?
CRAIG #22: Yeah, isn't Tim Levins' stuff on GOTHAM ADVENTURES just beautiful?
Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule and participating in our interview, Craig! We wish you the best of luck with your work on BATMAN BEYOND in the coming months!
Kelly was unable to submit a review by the printing of this newsletter. Fear not, he will return shortly.
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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.
CORRECTION:
AGH! Can you believe it? Here's the question I had last week, and here's the CORRECT answer:
315. To date, Terry McGinnis has NOT fought (either in a training session or real life):
A: Two-Face
B: The Riddler
C: Egghead
D: The Joker
E: Bane
The answer is C and D, not C and E, as I stated. Agh...is my face half-red or what?
I'm just sitting here at the computer with about five toddlers screaming in the background. No, they're not mine. But that doesn't make it any better. One just whacked a book across my back; ack. The title of that book was "CARS AND TRUCKS AND THINGS THAT GO";
coincidentally, that's going to be the title of this quiz.
316. In order of original air date, what is the first episode to feature the "new-style"
Batmobile?
A: HOLIDAY KNIGHTS
B: SINS OF THE FATHER
C: COLD COMFORT
D: NEVER FEAR
E: DOUBLE TALK
317. What action figure-vehicle from the animated lines had such low production that it's the rarest of all BTAS action-vehicles to collectors?
A: The original Batmobile
B: The Jokermobile
C: The Batwing
D: The Robin Dragster
E: The remote-control Batmobile
318. Which of the following people have been dragged by a motorcycle?
A: The Joker
B: Robin
C: Tony Zucco
D: Batman
E: The Scarecrow
319. Who once foiled one of Ra's Al Ghul's plans while on an airship?
A: Talia
B: Arkady Duvall
C: Batman
D: Jonah Hex
E: Nightwing
320. Which of these vehicles was NOT featured in OVER THE EDGE?
A: The Batmobile
B: The Batcycle
C: The Batwing
D: The Batboat
E: Batman's jet-pack
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #316: B
Answer to #317: D
Answer to #318: C
Answer to #319: D
Answer to #320: C, E
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