LITTLE FACTS
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
Here is a section that just points out various little facts 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:
1) Producer Bruce Timm provides the voice of the Mad Bomber in "Beware the Gray
Ghost", as well as the Jokerz leader on "Batman Beyond".
2) Voice of Firefly, Mark Rolston, can be seen in "Rush Hour", now on video.
(He played the leading guy for the FBI in the film - the one with blonde hair, who's in a
cast at the end of the movie). So if ya wanna see what one of the BTAS voice actors looks
like, rent the movie! Beside the point, it's a fun movie.
3) Boxy Bennett and Chuckie Sol (from "Mask of the Phantasm") are both voiced
by the same person - Dick Miller.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
"Grey Eyes"
3) The men singing in the cafe at the end of "Holiday Knights" are based upon
BTAS producers Paul Dini and Bruce Timm (but what about the "other" guy?).
4) Bruce Timm ALSO provides the voice of one of the guys gettin' fresh with Harley and
Ivy in the famous "Here's the paddle" scene of "Harley & Ivy".
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BATMAN: THE ANIMATED FIGURES
(by Kevin Smith)
"FREEZING IVY, CROCS OF CLAY, AND A BIG OL' DICK"
Since Mr. Smith was unable to provide a toy review for this newsletter, we have dug an
earlier toy review from BTAN #05, discussing the third wave of "animated"
Bat-figures. Enjoy!
The third wave of figures saw a change in the card art; the backdrop no longer faded
from yellow to orange to red, but from yellow to white to blue, which looked better, in my
opinion. But more imporantly, more figures were released:
First up was Mr. Freeze. He was an excellent figure who looked exactly like he did in
the show. I would have preferred the helmet be removable, but how it came was A-OK. He
came with Firing "Ice" Blaster, which was a weak water gun. However, the gun
looked a lot like the gun he used in the show, so it's not that bad, and besides,
the tube connecting the gun to the backpack helped to balance him. The card art was great
too. It looked like either the artist improved, or was replaced.
Then there was Clayface with Launching Spiked Ball, who was also a surprise, but
welcome regardless. I mean, who WOULDN'T want more villains? One of his hands had what
looked to be "metal" claws, and his other hand fired a spiked ball when his body
was squeezed - both of which were seen in his first animated appearance, "Feat of
Clay". However, his legs didn't move, his head didn't turn (which I'll give to them,
since he doesn't really have a neck!). The card art was done well, too. It had a sense of
action and movement with it and again looks like he does in the show.
Also released in this wave was Dick Grayson/Robin. The card read "Transforms into
Robin with High-Tech Gear!" It was a worthy effort, since it was nice to get a Dick
Grayson figure. They handled the Robin mask well, which was rubber and fit over his head,
but the tech gear was really silly, and as usual, he had a racing outfit on, though
it could almost - ALMOST work. Another complaint, is that Dick Grayson has the same wild
hair look as Robin instead of the tame combed back hair, which helped to further distance
the two identities. The card art was passable, and at least it looked like Robin
this time.
Another unexpected addition to this wave was Poison Ivy. True to form, she was
relatively short, and yet, still slim. She came with Snapping Venus Flytrap and Dart
Weapon. The dart weapon was just a plastic crossbow, but it was the closest we'd get to
the little wrist dart thing she has. The Venus Flytrap thing was kind of dumb. I mean,
carrying a large Venus Flytrap? I recall it being a plant, and therefore requiring
planting. Oh well, it's her mutant breed. Like Catwoman, she had this weird in-step pose,
but not as bad, so it was easier to balance. I liked the fact that when posing without the
flytrap, her hand was on one hip. The card art was adequate, though the artist did a bad
job of trying to make her hair windblown.
Killer Croc was a late release. This figure really sucked. The sculpting sucked, (What
are proportions?) the painting sucked, (a grand total of three colors used!) and the dumb
crocodile accessory sucked. (It was the size of a baby crocodile. What a challenge for the
great Killer Croc to wrestle!) He also had a Power-Punch arm that sucked too. They didn't
give his eyes any detail, which were simply yellow. Also, they failed at capturing his
face, although I've discovered that it looks more like Killer Croc if you color eyes on
him. They got the body ok, but the arm punch action was really weak. The card art was
equally terrible. His only saving grace, was that he was a much needed villain in a wave
filled with asinine Batman variants, which included Power Vision Batman, Ground Assault
Batman, Anti-Freeze Batman, Decoy Batman, Mech Wing Batman, Lightning Strike Batman,
Knight Star Batman, (which was later released in a two pack with a similar Robin) and the
worst, Total Armor Batman (black and purple).
The vehicles were the stupid Aero Bat and Hydro Bat, and the really kewl Batplane.
So, what's in the next issue? Hmmm...we don't quite know ourselves...
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COMIC REVIEWS
(by Aaron Maurer)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES ISSUE: "The Oldest One in the Book!" (#11)
WRITTEN BY: Ty Templeton
PENCILED BY: Rick Burchett
INKED BY: Terry Beatty
ISSUED: February 3, 1999 (Cover date is April)
RATING: ***** (out of 5)
"I really didn't want to leave you any clues. I really planned never to go back to
Arkahm Asylum. But I left you a clue anyway. So I... I have to go back there. Because I
might need help. I... I might actually be crazy..." --The Riddler, defeated
SUMMARY: The Riddler has broken out of Arkham and he visits Charles Baxter (CEO of
Wacko Toys from "Riddler's Reform") to find a place to stay. He blackmails
Baxter into giving him the penthouse at his new hotel, the Cleopatra. Nygma has a grand
scheme this time: he will use his compulsion to leave clues, not to his crimes (he won't
be committing any), but to those of other criminals'. It begins with a message to
Commissioner Gordon which leads Batman and Nightwing to arrest a gang known as the Morning
Mob. Nygma likes this "dectective work," and his next clue will be an even
bigger one, and he's going to do some major legwork on it. Four days later the police get
their second clue which reveals a missing diamond was stolen by its museum's curator.
Batman, meanwhile, believes he sees the Riddler's bigger clue: all the clues have playing
card references. For his next clue, the Riddler interrogates Boxy Bennet (seen in
"Harley's Holiday"), but when Batman uses it to track down a major criminal, he
realizes their isn't a card reference. However, something Nightwing says clicks, and
Batman knows where to find Eddie. When they get to his suite, they reveal that all his
clues included elements adding up to the riddle of the Sphinx (leading them to the
Cleopatra) from Oedipus Rex. The Riddler is furious, because he didn't want or mean to
send any clues to his whereabouts. He realizes that he has a problem, and he actually
needs to return to Arkham.
COMMENTS: This issue is perfect. The Riddler is my favorite villain, and this issue was
masterfully put together. Aside from an excellent plot (that would make a great episode of
the show), this issue features beautiful art and coloring. Rick Burchett's illustrations
convey the feel of the animated series and flow of the story excellently. His variations
on the Riddler's costume also shine (including a purple jacket and hat with the new
costume, and a green sports jacket with question mark insignia). These make me appreciate
the new costume ecen more. Lee Loughridge's colors jump off the page (see bottom, page 14
and panel 2, page 15 especially), creating a vibrant atmosphere that keeps the eye busy.
All in all, this was a fantasic episo... I mean, um, comic...
CRITICISMS: I can't think of anything I didn't like about this story!
BOTTOM LINE: This is, by far, one of (if not the) best issues so far, so go pick it up!
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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. We have meshed this section with our
"COVERING THE BASICS" section, to make the newsletter much more succint. 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....now a whopping $3.25 in Canada. (Both our
editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the "grrr".)
"ANIMATED" COMICS
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #12
March 3rd
Two-Face has escaped again, but this time he's been slipped a trick coin that's rigged to
come up heads every time. Coupled with his rather tenuous grip on reality, it results in
his becoming a suicidal force for good in Gotham. The Judge is also set to re-appear.
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmga12.jpg
NEXT MONTH: - It's the return of Mastermind, the Perfessor and Mister Nice
(from the pages of the original BATMAN ADVENTURES series)! This criminal trio has faced
its share of challenges in the past, but now a visit from a strange child could lead to
the dissolution of their partnership, if not their very lives! Can Batman save some of his
greatest enemies?
Cover of #13: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmga13.jpg
BATMAN BEYOND #2
Feb. 17th
An adaption of part two of the animated debut of the NEW Batman, "Rebirth".
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bb/bb2.jpg
NEXT MONTH: Issue #3 - One of the all-new villains from the Batman Beyond animated
series menaces the Batman of the future. As the radioactive foe known as Blight tries to
procure a substance that will help him render inert all the sources of power in Gotham
City, Batman might have to choose between stopping the villain and saving a group of
homeless kids who get in the way.
Cover of #3: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/bb/bb3.jpg
Cover of #4: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/covers/download/dbmb4.jpg
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #31
March 3rd
The conclusion of a two-part story. Blasted a year into the future, Superman stands as the
final line of defense for Earth. And the threat he's trying to protect the planet from?
Himself.
Cover: http://www.toonzone.net/comics/covers/sa/sa30.jpg
NEXT MONTH: - Meet Daily Planet janitor Ben Sullivan's girlfriend... Lois
Lane? Ben, a mild-mannered staffer with a huge crush on Lois, accidentally becomes the
object of the reporter's affections when she's hit by a supervillain's hypnotic device.
Now Ben's in seventh heaven while Superman not only must foil a foe who can plant hypnotic
suggestions in anyone's mind, but also find a way to break Lois's trance before it becomes
irreversible!
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ANIMATED NEWS AND RUMORS
GENERAL
MEN IN BLACK and BATMAN BEYOND now have their own official message boards. Check them
out here:
http://wbboards.warnerbros.com
MOVIES
-Rumors of the making of a "Catwoman" film (which was first rumored in 1992)
are re-surfacing. Is the WB trying to satisfy our taste for a Batman film by giving us one
about the Feline Fatale, while they decide how to rework the Bat-franchise? Hmmm.
-MASK OF THE PHANTASM will be airing on CARTOON NETWORK again at 8pm (ET) on March
13th. It also looks like Kids'WB! won't be airing MASK OF THE PHANTASM at all.
"CURRENT" ANIMATED SERIES'
- An internet interview with Kevin Conroy is approaching. Keep your eyes and ears
peeled!
-At the end of this month, the 1999-2000 schedule for the WB will be released.
Batman/Superman, Batman Beyond, and MIB are all going to be there FOR SURE.
-"Legacy" will be the two-part season finale for Superman, featuring his
final showdown against Darksied.
-The Comic Book Continuum has a short article on the new Superman episode SUPERMAN'S
PAL:
http://detnews.com/metro/hobbies/comix/stories/9902/02/index.htm#2
-If you want to see some REAL good pics of all your favorite DC characters in animated
style then check out DC KIDS. Its the new kid section of DC COMICS that focuses on the
animated versions of the DCU characters. Just go to the coloring section and you'll see
20-25 pics of DCU characters in the animated style, as well as their usual comic book
style!
http://www.dccomics.com/dckids/index.htm
-Mania.com's ANIMATED SHORT has an interveiw with the writers of LITTLE GIRL LOST.
Check it out here:
http://www.mania.com//columns/animated/animated020599.html
BATMAN BEYOND
-For all of you wondering what villians we'll get to see in the next month of so on
BATMAN BEYOND here's a list. After the two-part premiere wraps up on the 23rd, we'll see
Inque in "Black Out" on Jan. 30th. This will be followed by 4 new episodes in a
row which features these characters as villians:
(Feb. 13) (#7) Blight (with Mr. Freeze)
(Feb. 20) (#8) Spellbinder (?)
(Feb. 27) (#5?) and a suprise!
Thanx to Chip once again fore the news!
-The Comic Book Continuum recently had a huge column on alot of upcoming Batman Beyond
events. Go to this URL to check 'em out! http://detnews.com/metro/hobbies/comix/stories/9901/28/index.htm
-Brian Cruz has also provided us with this link: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/2359
-Wanna see how good BATMAN BEYOND is doing in the ratings? Well check out this press
release provided by Brian Cruz: http://www.pathfinder.com/corp/warnbros/wbpr99/batman012599.html
-By the time you read this, the all-new official BATMAN BEYOND site should be fully up
and functionable, so go check it out now!
http://www.batmanbeyond.com
COMICS/BOOKS
Re: NO MAN'S LAND (LOTSA SPOILERS)
- Well, four issues into the story and we've seen Oracle show us where all the villains
(but the Joker and Bane) have claimed territory in devastated Gotham. We have seen
dealings with the Penguin and a cameo by the Joker. The new Batgirl has appeared. Then, in
the most recent issue, Batman has FINALLY returned (along with Alfred), 100 days after the
bridges were blown up - but his absence was not explained. The GCPD have reclaimed the
LoBoyz and Demonz territory of Gotham, threatening to kill anyone if they come back.
Batman also has his first encounter with the new Batgirl.
- After a time in Bludhaven, Superman and Nightwing will come to Gotham to assist the
Bat; ditto for Robin. The GCPD gets medieval on everybody's hiney. Azrael also becomes a
more intricate part of the team, hunting down businessman Nicholas Scratch. Huntress is
also stickin' around in the religious sector of town. The JLA won't appear (aside from
some appearances of Superman), and we're going to see why. As for Spoiler...she just had
her baby and then what? Hmmm?
The latest development is that Batman has taken down the first of the major villains in
No Man's Land - the Ventriloquist/Scarface - and now Batman has put Rhino in control of
the area.
Now, it looks like we'll see the Huntress and the Scarecrow battling it out in the
religious sector of town, as Scarecrow has sought refuge there. We know something is gonna
go down. Then, underworld kingpin Black Mask makes his appearance, as well as Penguin
trying to gain more territory, moving in on the "Fatih Sector"; then Batgirl and
Montoya take on Two-Face in what used to be Downtown Gotham.
"NO MAN'S LAND" BACK-STORY AND OTHER COMICS NEWS:
- Villains aplenty:
-Riddler has left, only to be persued by Robin and the Flash.
-Catwoman returns to Gotham about half-way through after New York proves to be a waste
of her time.
-Mr. Freeze seizes control of the power plant to stay alive - and to have something
valuable to trade with the rest of society.
-The Scarecrow has a field day tormenting Huntress in the religious sector of town.
-Bane tries to gain control of the city - again - but has to break in from the outside.
-Poison Ivy seeks refuge in the Robinson Park.
-Penguin seems to have the only access to points of the world OUTSIDE of Gotham, and
basically rules the city, living in luxury.
-Two-Face has seized control of the political and financial districts in Downtown
Gotham, and has a unique tie to Rene Montoya of the GCPD.
-The Joker doesn't appear as a major player until close to the end, along with the new,
improved Harley Quinn - whom will appear in civilian form mid-way through the crossover.
-The Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Mr. Zsasz, and various other "lesser" villains
have their own chunks of Gotham to rule as well.
-Other villain heavyweights like Clayface, Firefly, and Ra's Al Ghul will most likely
have roles as well, but no details have been given for them yet.
- Lots of new NO MAN'S LAND info can be found at this site now: http://www.mania.com
- For all Superman fans, read this: The January issue of Cinescape includes a review of
Les Daniels and Chip Kidd's Superman: The Complete History, reviewer Frank Kurtz called it
"A beautifully designed book that would do any coffee table proud", and
"even seasoned comics enthusiasts may find themselves surprised by the depth of the
material."
Re: ANIMATED COMICS
- It looks like Kelly Puckett and Scott Peterson, writer and editor of "Batman
Adventures" (1992-1995) well at least write two issues of "Batman: Gotham
Adventures" after Ty Templeton's departure following .
- Rumor has it that if the "Batman Beyond" series and comic series are
popular enough, it will become a continuing series, instead of just a six-issue
mini-series as currently planned. The same happened with "The Batman Adventures"
many moons ago.
- Joe Staton has been pegged as the artist for the BATMAN BEYOND comic series, while
Terry Beatty is inker and Hilary J. Bader is writer.
- Another current comic character will be making an appearance in BATMAN BEYOND! In
Issue #4 of the comic series based on the TV show, Jason Blood/Etrigan will appear. Cool
huh?
-Sometime after , Bane will make an appearance in GOTHAM ADVENTURES.
TOYS & MERCHANDISE
-As for the regular animated line, a wave featuring the new-style Mr. Freeze and three
Batman variants is due sometime in 1999 - some have said this "MISSION MASTERS"
assortment has been sighted in stores right now! I have seen pics of the Mr. Freeze figure
and it looks really good, just like his original figure - it even has the detachable head
and spider legs!
-There have been alot of rumors floating around that there is an Animated Batman game
in the works. Check out the full details at Brian's Batman Page (URL provided below in the
website section)
-TITUS has just announced that the N64/PLaystation video game based on Superman: The
Animated Series will be released on May 25th, 1999. The extra long delay is reportly due
to some control problems. (Remember, however, the "Batman & Robin"
Playstation came had an extended delay, too, only to make the game superb. Hopefully
SUPERMAN will be just as good!)
-More pictures of the "Batman Beyond" figures have been released! Follow this
link to see a figure of the Jokerz Leader!
http://www.aiusa.com/chip/timm/news/news.htm
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