COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
WANTED: A reviewer for JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES comics. Send me an
e-mail at juno@dccnet.com if you're a JUSTICE LEAGUE
fan and you'd like to take a stab at it!
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES
ISSUE: "Early Thaw" (#51)
WRITTEN BY: Jason Hall
PENCILS: Brad Rader
INKS: Terry Austin
ISSUED: June 26, 2002 (Cover date: Aug 02)
RATING: *****
I don't know who this Jason Hall guy is or where he came from, but
don't let him get away! After a string of not-so-special issues by Scott Peterson, this
new blood has instilled new life into GOTHAM ADVENTURES. Not to knock Peterson's work or
anything, because I have enjoyed a number of his stories (such as the terrific Catwoman
story in ), but this is exactly what this title needed. Why?
1. Good writing. No, Peterson's writing wasn't poor, and we know he
is capable of good stuff. Then again, I was happy to see that we didn't discover that the
real "villain" pulling the strings in this issue was a crazy unappreciated chef
or a laid-pack artiste. The writing was serious and dealt with an interesting topic.
Low-key "stories about nothing" with silly twists at the ending are fine, but we
had been getting far too many in this title recently.
2. A different style. Look at how the mainstream titles were
rejuvanated following NO MAN'S LAND when the new creative teams were brought in. In , we were without the Peterson trademark - the three opening pages of splash art, and
little dialogue. Hall's pacing worked perfectly for this story - it went very quickly, but
there was still a lot of dialogue to get through. A change of pace never hurt any body.
3. Characters were developed. The focus of the story was obviously
the relationship between Victor and Nora Fries, and it came off without a hitch. Freeze's
characterization was spot on; it was only a matter of time before he tried to get back to
Nora. It was also great to see how Nora's character was portrayed when NOT restricted to
suspended animation...even if it was just on the final page.
The hinting at the future relationship of Bruce and Barbara was a
nice touch, too. We all know that, if BATMAN BEYOND is considered "real", these
two do hit it off; never have we seen any hinting at such a thing happening. Not until
now. Not only that, but I thought that Batgirl's inclusion in this story worked. Usually I
find that she is placed into any story as a "sidekick by default", and that her
character isn't terribly strong; she worked on every level for me this time, mushy
pre-romance with Bruce or not.
Oh yeah, as for seeing the Clayface/Roland Daggett thing
revisited...nice touch. It's great to see that Mr. Hall knows his continuity this well.
4. The art. Not that the art was fabulously better in this issue, or
that it was poor to begin with (because it wasn't), but I thought the shading was fabulous
- particularly during the Freeze/Nora fight, and when we first meet Batman and Batgirl
atop the skyscraper in the opening pages.
I, for one, hopes Mr. Hall steps in for more "filler"
issues in the future!
;-Y
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COMIC SCHEDULES & COVERING THE BASICS
This section gives a little bit more in-depth look into each monthly
issue of BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES and BATMAN BEYOND. Below each comic listing is a link
to the cover of that comic. TALK ABOUT SERVICE! The price for any of these issues, unless
otherwise posted, is $1.99 in the US and...grrrrr...a whopping $3.25 (or higher) in
Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the well-deserved
"grrr".)
If we are unsure of the exact date of when an issue is being released, just check out
"DIRECT CURRENTS" for details:
http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/
FOLLOWING MONTH:
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
-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.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/solicitations/2002-07/dcuniverse/jladvs09.jpg
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Due to demand by some of our subscribers, we've decided to give a
"Letters to the Editor" section a shot. Feel free to submit something you'd like
to say to us, and each issue we'll choose one to post and then reply to. (NOTE: It can be
completely uncensored, positive OR negative, though any coarse language will be bleeped
out. We want this to be a no-holds-barred column!)
Tim,
I have been following your newsletter since, well, forever, it seems. I know I don't write
much, but I was wondering what you thought of the WB's new fall show. <hack, cough>
"Birds of Prey". I dunno what to think, except I'm really unhappy at how they're
painting Batman. I mean, Bruce Wayne giving up? Leaving Gotham?? riiiiiight.... And Batman
& Catwoman's secret love child?? becoming a superhero?
OK, I'll admit it, the premise sucks IMO, but do you think theres any
hope at all for the series? Probably not, huh? If you haven't heard about it, check out
the wb home page and search for fall line up. I will give them this...they're going for
the "hot momma" bit with the stars they picked. But "Charmed" has
already been done...
Ahem. Sorry about that...venting over. Thanks for keeping the true
spirit of Batman alive... <grin>
TWO-FACE'S SIDE OF THE COIN
What can I say about BIRDS OF PREY? Not a heck of a lot, I'm
afraid. I don't follow the comic series very closely. But hey, anything with Barbara
Gordon in it is a good thing. Really. I know many people despise her shtick as Batgirl,
both animated and otherwise, but after her mental transformation into Oracle, her
character got deeper. I have no problem with this aspect of the series - and that's about
the only thing I can say.
Black Canary? I don't know too much about her, so I can't really pass
judgement on her.
My problems begin with the Huntress. I think she is a great
character, especially since the folks at DC have given her depth in recent years: her
one-night-stand with Nightwing, her trial-by-fire to get Batman's respect during NO MAN'S
LAND, Greg Rucka's miniseries, and so forth. A daughter of the mob that fights crime with
lethal methods is a good foil to everyone else on the Bat-team. However, with this series,
I've heard that this Huntress character will not be born into the mob but, rather, a
love-child of Batman and Catwoman.
Apparently this is what the first version of Huntress (the pre-crisis
version) is all about. That's fine. Leave it in the past. The current version
in the comics is much better, though - why they'd leave this behind for the sake of comics
cheese is beyond me.
Oh yeah...how does Harley Quinn fit into this? Apparently she's
a recurring character, too. Interesting. I can't figure it out. Maybe it's
during her brief stint as a criminal psycholist, maybe not.
The other thing I don't like is how Batman has "given up"
on Gotham, thereby being the writers' excuse for not getting him involved in the
show. I know of many people that think this notion is ludicrous; I would tend to
agree. However, if this "retirement" of Batman is handled in a way similar to
how Frank Miller dealt with it in THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (before Batman came out of
retirement to take on some resurfacing faces from Arkham), then it CAN work. The thing is,
why would they want to get rid of Batman?
Then again, my main question to the WB is, why not go all the way do
a Batman show? Perhaps they want to keep him as strictly an animated or movie-only
property. Perhaps. BIRDS OF PREY originates in the Batman universe on countless
levels - you can't just delve into it and ignore all the history this characters have.
It's not like SMALLVILLE where everything is starting from square one. I think this show
will have a much tougher time pleasing the fans.
But that's just me. A lot of people thought SMALLVILLE was going to
bomb, but it turned out to be one of the most successful shows of this past season. BIRDS
OF PREY could be another surprise hit.
Then again, there were also some people that actually thought that
Arnie's performance in BATMAN & ROBIN could be Oscar worthy because it was so
dramatic.
You really can't tell with these things until they come out. I'm
keeping an open mind, myself - though I still wish they stuck closer to the comics to get
some good roots for these characters.
;-Y
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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! (Mwuhahaha!) 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.
Yep, I'm blanking on any good ideas for a good trivia theme in this
issue (once again), so I'm giving you all random questions! Enjoy!
756. What colour does the Mad Hatter bleed in MAD AS A HATTER?
757. Rumour has it that at some point during the animated Batman
series/movies, there was a sequence where the gothic choir that was supposedly singing in
Latin in the background was singing the names of the creative teams backwards. Where can
this be heard?
758. When was the first time we saw Nora Fries not encased within her
cryogenic tube?
759. The name "Leslie" is mentioned in one episode in which
Leslie Thompkins DOESN'T appear. What episode is this, and where?
760. The actress that played Supergirl in the SUPERGIRL movie
provided the voice for what character on BTAS?
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #756: Pink, believe it or not.
Answer to #757: The opening credits to MASK OF THE PHANTASM
Answer to #758: Fooled you! It was in HEART OF ICE, when Batman looks threw
Victor's files and finds his wedding photos.
Answer to #759: RIDDLER'S REFORM...one of the riddles led to 10 Leslie Avenue.
Answer to #760: Talia
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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, STAS and BEYOND countless times. If you
have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!
CONTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
Wow, I think we've covered everything.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
But have you?
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FIGURE THIS OUT!
(by Marc Rosenzweig)
-Marc
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FEATURED BATMAN INTERNET ENDEAVOURS FOR THIS ISSUE
(feel free to submit something for our consideration)
This space for rent.
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TWO-FACE'S TRADING POST
For the next few issues, we here at BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
will be providing this space for all you subscribers for trading, buying, selling, and
whatnot, just in time for Christmas (and beyond). So, without further adieu, here is
what we have in store:
WANTED:
1) LOOKING FOR BTAS EPISODES:
Over the Edge, Love is a Croc, The Ultimate Thrill, Cult of the Cat, Old Wounds, Knight
Time, Girls Night Out, Judgement Day, Beware the Creeper, Mad Love
Contact cagq64@hotmail.com if you can or would
like to help.
2) LOOKING FOR BTAS EPISODES:
I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am looking for anyone who can help me out with
obtaining episodes of any Batman/Superman cartoon - live action shows. By obtaining
I mean dubs. If you think you can help me out please e-mail me at
imasuperfan@hotmail.com
3) LOOKING FOR EPISODES:
JLA episodes, particularly the upcoming INJUSTICE FOR ALL two-parter. E-mail this address
if you can or would like to help: cointoss@hotmail.com
4) LOOKING FOR EPISODES:
All TNBA episodes and all Justice League episodes (Non-wide screen format only)
Contact dennisc@dcsi.net.au if you can or would
like to help.
FOR SALE:
1) I am looking to sell some VHS which have some BTAS/TNBA episodes on them. These VHS
tapes were originally available from Columbia House. They each come in a hard case which
has information printed on it about the episodes contained.
All VHS tapes and hard case containers are in excellent condition. E-mail etiquette45@hotmail.com if interested.
Tapes available are listed below.
*Tape "Title" (by Columbia House): episodes contained
COPS AND ROBBERS: P.O.V., Vendetta, Riddler's Reform, A Bullet for Bullock
FRIENDS AND FOES: Beware the Grey Ghost, The Mechanic, The Man who Killed Batman, Sideshow
NOTE: Batman: The Animated Newsletter has takes no responsibility in
business transactions. We're working on the honour system here, people, so PLAY NICE! ;-Y
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ANIMATED BATMAN/SUPERMAN SITES:
Wow, our links section has grown so big that we've had to eliminate
it from the newsletter! Fear not, you can still find all these links at the WORLD'S FINEST
NEWSPAGE, if you follow this link...that's hypocracy for ya!
If you have any questions, problems, links do not work, or anything
else, then please e-mail this address with your problems and we'll try to fix them as soon
as possible. Also if you'd like to send any fan-mail then please send it to this address:
As for submissions, feel free to submit an article or opinion on
anything pertaining to BTAS.
Keep in mind that as the editors, we have the right to edit your submissions if we deem it
necessary. Such instances would include problems with length, grammar, and language.
If we do feel we must edit something, however, we will do our utmost to ensure that the
opinion and the basic message of the submission does not change, as that is the most
important part of any article, and everyone is entitled to it. And if you do submit
something, please don't just submit a basic review of an episode or a comic or something
(because we have people writing for those purposes already) - write about an issue you'd
like to discuss.
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED ARCHIVES
The very kind people at TOONZONE were nice enough to give us our own
little section of their huge and diverse website. The archive contains past newsletters
and is semi-regularly updated with the latest one. To check it out go here:
TOONZONE's BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
http://www.toonzone.net/news/btan
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LIKE WHAT YA SEE? WANNA SUBSCRIBE? HERE'S HOW!!!
For those of you who are seeing this at the WBC HOMEPAGE BTAN
ARCHIVES section and want to subscribe, just follow these simple instructions:
To subscribe email juno@dccnet.com,
put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, and put the e-mail address you'd like the newsletter to
be sent to in the body of the message.
For more information about the newsletter just email either of the
previous e-mail addresses - preferably the prior.
Thank you for your time, and thanks for reading! Tell your friends!
-Tim TWO-FACE Leighton and Dick Grayson, editors
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TO ALL GOOD THINGS...
...there must be an end. We would like to thank the endless amount of contributors for
contributing their editorials, columns, news, reviews and other articles. We hope you've
all enjoyed it as much as we've enjoyed making it! Thank you for reading! See ya next
time!
CREDITS FOR BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
EDITOR AT COLLEGE, & WORKING, TOO!: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
CO-EDITOR AT COLLEGE, ALSO WORKIN': "Dick Grayson"
AIR DATE SCHEDULES: Toonzone, Cartoon Network, and YTV
EPISODE REVIEWS: "Belle Book"
EDITORIAL: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton, and anyone that writes in
COMIC REVIEWS: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton, Dick Grayson
'RETURN OF THE JOKER' GIVEAWAY: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
FIGURE THIS OUT: Marc Rosenzweig
"BTAN ARCHIVES" MODERATOR: Eileen Delgadillo
TRIVIA: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
PROMOTIONS, JUST GETTIN' THE WORD OUT: Dick Grayson, Eileen Delgadillo, Brian Cruz,
Brian Davis
THOSE WHO FILL IN FOR OTHERS WHEN THEY FOUL UP:-Y Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
DELIVERY: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
E-MAIL RECEPTION HANDLING: Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
THE CREATION OF THIS NEWSLETTER INSPIRED BY: Alan J. Porter
BATMAN CREATED BY: Bob Kane & Bill Finger (who else?)
Batman and all related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics, Copyright c 2002.
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