Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of June 30 to July 14, 2002
Volume 4, 6
Rated: PG (as with all other things Batman-related)
THIS ISSUE'S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: "Happy belated Canada
Day and Happy Independence Day (in advance) for all of our North American
subscribers!"
(Sorry, I don't know the national holidays of any other
countries out there...unless St. John Baptiste Day counts.) :-)
____________________________________________________________________
TEN YEARS AND COUNTING
On September 5 of this year, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES will
be celebrating its tenth anniversary of production. This ranges everywhere from the show
itself to the comics based upon it to books, toys, video games, merchandising...everything
started on this date.
As a way to celebrate, co-editor Dick Grayson has set up a
page at his WORLD'S FINEST site where he has big things planned for this momentous
occasion, including creator interviews, reviews, and a poll that will ultimately decide
what the "best episode ever" is. (This was recently decided as being HEART OF
ICE. Quel suprise.)
To check it out, go to this URL:
http://wf.toonzone.net/btas10.htm
____________________________________________________________________
EAGERLY ANTICIPATING...
New episodes are on the horizon! Here's what we can expect in the near future...
Yeah, there are still a chunk of JUSTICE LEAGUE episodes
we're waiting for see. No definite dates have been given, though.
___________________________________________________________________
NEWS AND RUMORS
(see back issues for older info)
-The following artists are selling artwork on eBay. The
following are their names and Seller ID's:
Terry Beatty: beatty@machlink.com
Craig Rousseau: cerousseau
Tim Levins: tlevins
Min S. Ku: min3000gt
ANIMATED SERIES (BTAS, STAS, BEYOND, JLA)
-The JUSTICE LEAGUE episode INJUSTICE FOR ALL (featuring the "Injustice League")
will air on the US Cartoon Network before the fall of '02.
-The following is a remaining episode-title listing for the first season of JLA:
#8, 9 Injustice For All
#20, 21 A Knight Of Shadows
#22, 23 Metamorphis
#24, 25, 26 The Savage Time
ANIMATED COMICS
-For a sneak peak at the upcoming five-issue GOTHAM GIRLS mini-series (in the
animated style), follow this link:
http://www.dccomics.com/bnw/Aug_02/girls/a.html
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #52
Gotham's wild and woolly Lower East Side has a new hero...and it's not the Dark Knight.
No, these days the kids are going wild - literally - for Bane! Just what is going on here?
And what is Batman going to do about it?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/batman/bga52.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #53
In stores August 28. Gotham gets strangled by a super-plant whose roots run clear to the
Batcave. It's got Poison Ivy written all over it...but where is she? And has she uncovered
the Dark Knight's secret? Batman must track it - and her - deep into the Amazon jungle to
find out.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/batman/bga53.gif
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #54
In stores September 25. As a crime spree unfolds, a writer tries to get into the minds of
Batman and his quarry - and only gets in the way. Will the writer get the story he's
looking for, or will she become the story?
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #9
"Stepping Out," the troubling tale of a super-hero's dilemma: balancing a love
life with his duties to the JLA. When evil strikes, it's never convenient - and the Flash
somehow must help the Justice League save the world without raising the ire of his
beautiful date. This romantic catastrophe is wrapped up in a cover by Justice League
animator Butch Lukic.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/dcuniverse/jladvs09.jpg
-JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #10
Superman is taken down in battle and the Martian Manhunter must replace him as a hero to
millions. But does the shy, reserved alien have what it takes to inspire all of humanity?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/dcuniverse/jladvs10.jpg
-GOTHAM GIRLS #1 of 5 (miniseries)
Written by Paul Storrie; art by Jennifer Graves and J. Bone; cover by Shane Glines.
In stores August 14. The women of the hit WB Online webtoon burst into the animated DC
Universe in an action-packed miniseries! Unable to resist a golden opportunity to fund her
beloved lion preserve, Catwoman heists a vial of a mysterious formula for a shady company
- only to discover she's actually working for Poison Ivy and mallet-wielding sidekick
Harley Quinn. That sets off an every-villain-for-herself chase across Gotham's rooftops -
and attracts the attention of both Batgirl and officer Renée Montoya, who reluctantly
team up to join in the fray! For more information, see the feature article.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/batman/gothamgirls1.jpg
OTHER COMICS
-The third and final chapter of THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN will come out on July 31,
2002.
-Beginning in August, DC Comics will raise the price of Batman: Gotham Adventures, Justice
League Adventures, and all other "animated" or "Cartoon Network"
titles from $1.99 to $2.25 per issue.
-DETECTIVE COMICS #773: A story featuring Sasha Bordeaux's time in prison. Also featuring
Cucilla (one of the many Jokerized LAST LAUGH villains).
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-08/batman/detective773.gif
-BATMAN #606, 607: Batman and Deadshot meet again.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #33: Batman and Bane actually team up to destroy the last of the
Lazarus Pits.
BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE titles
-Chapter 16: DETECTIVE COMICS #772; released July 3. Sasha's been in jail for months,
while Bruce Wayne has long since escaped. When a mysterious stranger arrives with a
proposition - implicate Bruce and walk, or rot in prison 'till the day she dies - will
Sasha finally give in?
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/batman/detective772.gif
-Chapter 17: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #31; released July 17. Batman tracks down a lead that brings
about a startling discovery: Who was behind the Bruce Wayne smear campaign and how much
absolute power his enemy actually wields.
Cover: Unavailable.
-Chapter 18: BATMAN #605; released July 24. The entire Bat-crew assembles at the cave for
the revelation of Vesper Fairchild's murderer. But identifying the murderer and capturing
them are entirely different matters. A mind sharp enough to frame Bruce Wayne would have
to be very, very difficult to snare...
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/batman/batman605.jpg
MOVIES
-ONSTAR is holding a contest where a winner gets to have a walk-on role in whatever the
next Batman movie will be.
*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-More confirmation on the 2004 release date of BATMAN: YEAR ONE. Darren Aronofsky's
next film, LAST MAN, is being filmed this summer, and YEAR ONE is likely his next project.
This should start filming by mid-2003, aiming for a summer 2004 release date. Thanks to
BATMAN-ON-FILM.com and the GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS for this tidbit!
-Aronofsky is also saying that Ellen Burstyn, the star of another of his films (REQUIEM
FOR A DREAM) will appear in his next film. This could be either YEAR ONE or another film
he has on his slate, "LAST MAN".
*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-It looks like an independent movie is being made. Check out this link and see for
yourself:
http://www.batinthesun.com/
*THE FOURTH ANIMATED BATMAN MOVIE
-No new news here. It probably won't be another BATMAN BEYOND movie, though.
*CATWOMAN
-Don't count on this one any time soon.
*WORLD'S FINEST
-Variety has revealed that the much-rumoured BATMAN & SUPERMAN movie is the front
runner for release in 2004. With the second installment of the SCOOBY-DOO franchise coming
as well as HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN in 2004, it still leaves three slots
open that year for some big budget spectacle movies.
Here is what Variety reported:
"Batman and/or Superman": It's been five years since the
poorly received "BATMAN & ROBIN," and the WB now seems ready to take its
superhero responsibilities seriously.
Last year, the studio brought Darren Aronofsky on board to develop
"Batman: Year One" with creator Frank Stack. But the superhero project that has
the greatest likelihood of moving forward, Horn now says, is "Batman &
Superman," in which the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight join forces against evil.
Wolfgang Petersen is attached to produce, develop and possibly direct.
LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-Though it is remaining in the current timeslot on the WB, in Canada, SMALLVILLE will move
from its Wednesday timeslot at 8pm to a Thursday timeslot at 7pm, also on GLOBAL.
EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-Nothing notable to speak of...yet.
TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-Warner Bros.' Senior Vice President of Advertising and Promotions, Joel Ehrlich revealed
that the public "won't see a Justice League toy line this year, but will sometime in
2003." Sounds like a plan to me!
-We can look forward to the PUPPETS OF CRIME four-pack, featuring Undercover Bruce Wayne,
Nightwing, a repainted Killer Croc, and a brand-new Ventriloquist/Scarface figure!
Apparently, they're due out in mid-August. For pics, go to the following link. Thanks to
Bill Curtis for the link!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=1726242346
-JUSTICE LEAGUE is making its way onto GAMEBOY ADVANCE! The game is entitled "JUSTICE
LEAGUE: INJUSTICE FOR ALL", and features more than 14 unique levels, as players pick
from one of seven Justice Leaguers (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green
Lantern, Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter) and use the individual character's special powers
and skills to defeat the Injustice League's evil plans. The Injustice Gang consists of
characters such as Lex Luthor, The Joker, The Shade, and more. Justice League: Injustice
For All is in development and scheduled to ship in fall 2002 for the Nintendo Game Boy
Advance. The Justice League will also be featured in video games scheduled for release in
2003 on the PS2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube.
SPECIAL NOTE:
For more BATMAN, SUPERMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN BEYOND, and related stories and news,
check out the WORLD'S FINEST NEWSPAGE at:
In coming months, the CARTOON NETWORK will have the ability
to show all of the WB's superhero series. Until these dates, only BATMAN BEYOND and JLA
will be on the air. Here are the times all will be shown:
JUSTICE LEAGUE SCHEDULE:
Fri 07-05-02 JLA In Blackest Night (Pt. 2)
Sat 07-06-02 JLA In Blackest Night (Pt. 2)
Sat 07-06-02 JLA The Brave and the Bold (Pt. 1)
Sun 07-07-02 JLA The Enemy Below (Pt. 1)
* * * * * *
Fri 07-12-02 JLA The Enemy Below (Pt. 1)
Sat 07-13-02 JLA The Enemy Below (Pt. 1)
Sat 07-13-02 JLA The Brave and the Bold (Pt. 2)
Sun 07-14-02 JLA The Enemy Below (Pt. 2)
* * * * * *
Fri 07-19-02 JLA The Enemy Below (Pt. 2)
Sat 07-20-02 JLA The Enemy Below (Pt. 2)
Sat 07-20-02 JLA Fury (Pt. 1)
Sun 07-21-02 JLA Paradise Lost (Pt. 1)
BATMAN BEYOND SCHEDULE:
Mon 07-01-02 BEYOND #23 Mind Games
Tue 07-02-02 BEYOND #24 Revenant
Wed 07-03-02 BEYOND NO EPISODE TODAY
Thu 07-04-02 BEYOND #25 Babel
Fri 07-05-02 BEYOND #26 Terry's Friend Dates a Robot
Sat 07-06-02 BEYOND #16 Splicers
* * * * * *
Mon 07-08-01 BEYOND #27 Eyewitness
Tue 07-09-02 BEYOND #28 Zeta
Wed 07-10-02 BEYOND #29 Last Resort
Thu 07-11-02 BEYOND #30 Final Cut
Fri 07-12-02 BEYOND #31 Armory
Sat 07-13-02 BEYOND #17 Lost Soul
* * * * * *
Mon 07-15-02 BEYOND #32 Sneak Peek
Tue 07-16-02 BEYOND #33 Plague
Wed 07-17-02 BEYOND #34 The Eggbaby
Thu 07-18-02 BEYOND #35 April Moon
Fri 07-19-02 BEYOND #36 Payback
Sat 07-20-02 BEYOND #18 Bloodsport
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
Sat 07-13-02 BTAS #27 Mad as a Hatter
* * * * * *
Sat 07-20-02 BTAS #28 Dreams in Darkness
* * * * * *
SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
Sat 07-13-02 STAS #22 Speed Demons
Sat 07-06-02 STAS #23 Double Dose
FOR UP-TO-DATE SCHEDULES:
http://www.toonzone.net/shows/cnschedules/
_____________________________________________________________________
CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN on YTV - courtesy of our friends at YTV)
YTV has just re-added BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES to its
timeslot! Set your VCRs though, kiddies, because these episodes come on at 3:30am! Ack!
YTV also has the rights to all of the BATMAN BEYOND episodes,
which will air every Saturday mornings at 10:00am, and then Saturday nights (or,
technically, Sunday mornings) at 12:30am.
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
THIS WEEK:
Mon 07-01-02: BTAS #108 Beware the Creeper
Tue 07-02-02: BTAS #109 Judgement Day
Wed 07-03-02: BTAS #01 On Leather Wings
Thu 07-04-02: BTAS #14 Heart of Ice
Fri 07-05-02: BTAS #20 Feat of Clay (Pt. 1)
NEXT WEEK:
Mon 07-08-02: BTAS #21 Feat of Clay (Pt. 2)
Tue 07-09-02: BTAS #11 It's Never Too Late
Wed 07-10-02: BTAS #22 Joker's Favor
Thu 07-11-02: BTAS #13 The Cat and the Claw (Pt. 1)
Fri 07-12-02: BTAS #16 The Cat and the Claw (Pt. 2)
THE FOLLOWING WEEK:
Mon 07-15-02: BTAS #05 Pretty Poison
Tue 07-16-02: BTAS #03 Nothing to Fear
Wed 07-17-02: BTAS #09 Be a Clown
Thu 07-18-02: BTAS #26 Appointment in Crime Alley
Fri 07-19-02: BTAS #07 P.O.V.
BATMAN BEYOND:
THIS WEEK:
Sat 07-06-02: 10:00am #03 Black Out
Sun 07-07-02: 12:30am #21 Hooked Up
Sat 07-13-02: 10:00am #04 Golem
Sun 07-14-02: 12:30am #22 Rats
_____________________________________________________________________
EPISODE REVIEW: (SPOILER ALERT!)
(by "Belle Book")
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
"Heart of Ice"
Written by: Paul Dini
Directed by: Bruce Timm
Airdate: September 7, 1992
Rating (out of 5 stars): *****
A mysterious man, wearing a cold suit and glass face covering and calling
himself Mr. Freeze, attacks a Gothcorp facility, where he runs into Batman. Afterwards,
Bruce Wayne pays a visit to Ferris Boyle, self-proclaimed humanitarian and president of
Gothcorp, where he discovers that there is an employee who wants to destroy Gothcorp:
Victor Fries, whom Boyle said was wasting company money for some purpose that Boyle
refused to clarify. Bruce also realized that Boyle wasn't the humanitarian that he claimed
to be. Batman's investigations reveal that Victor's wife, Nora, was terminally ill, and
Victor wanted to save her by freezing her until a cure could be found - and going on
despite Boyle's pulling funding on the project. When Boyle came to stop the project
despite Nora's already being put in the cryo tube, a standoff occurred which caused an
explosion - and turned Fries to Mr. Freeze. Now Mr. Freeze wants revenge on Boyle - and
Batman must stop him!
This is one of the most heartbreaking episodes of BTAS, in large part due to
the tragic nature of Mr. Freeze. He is a character we can all sympathize with, even though
we realize he must be stopped from killing Mr. Boyle. Who can really hate him? I sure
can't. Even more interesting is the fact that this episode influenced the writers at DC
Comics to use the origin of Mr. Freeze from the animated series for the comic book
version. Kudos are in order for Dini and Timm for their portrayal of this character.
As for the other characters, Alfred is his usual self, helping Batman out -
and providing him with the chicken soup canister which enables Batman to defeat Mr.
Freeze. Ferris Boyle is much more of a villain in some ways than Mr. Freeze himself is.
After all, Boyle was heartless enough to pull the plug on funding to enable Victor Fries
to put Nora in a cryogenic tube until a cure could be found for the disease which was
killing her. And then he had the gall to tell Fries to bring Nora out of the tube when she
was already in there! The perfect soulless executive, always thinking of the bottom line
above anything else. I hate him - although I wouldn't have wanted Mr. Freeze to kill him.
Batman was great in this episode! As Bruce Wayne, he was able to get the
necessary info which enabled him to investigate Fries further until he discovered the
truth. As Batman, he was able to express sympathy for Mr. Freeze, yet stop him when Mr.
Freeze was about to kill Mr. Boyle. Two things I noticed that made him human was the fact
that he saved the criminal whose legs were frozen, and the fact that he was battling a
cold! Both things kept him from being superhuman, and I liked that.
As for Mr. Freeze, thanks to this episode, he became my second favorite
Batman villain, behind only Catwoman. Who could blame him for wanting to save his wife by
any means necessary? And who could really blame him for wanting to avenge the loss of his
wife on the man who heartlessly pulled the plug? I couldn't. The only problem was that Mr.
Freeze went too far, and that's what caused him to become a villain. After all, trying to
kill the man who made you what you are is wrong, and if you try to do that, then you
deserve to be stopped. That said, I still felt pity for him.
Again, kudos are in order for Dini and Timm, as well as for Michael Ansara
(the voice of Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze) and Kevin Conroy (the best voice for Bruce
Wayne/Batman ever). Great job, guys!
-Belle Book
____________________________________________________________________
