#30. WORST VILLAIN

Despite her surge of popularity this year, after being injected into the mainstream continuity and all, Harley Quinn still bottomed out as the worst villain of the year, with 30% of the vote. Clayface came in second with 20%. Other entried were Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, Lock-Up, Gearhead, and Killer Croc.

#31. BEST STORY-ARC

Two story-arcs were seen as the best of NML by our voters. 
With 22.2% of the vote each, CLAIM JUMPING (by Greg Rucka) 
and FEAR OF FAITH (by Devin Grayson) came out on top. 
Rucka's SHELLGAME, ENDGAME, JURISPRUDENCE, and FRUIT OF THE EARTH, and Chuck Dixon's ESCAPE FROM BLACKGATE arcs are also worthy mentions.

#32. WORST STORY-ARC

42.9% of you felt that Larry Hama's LOW ROAD TO GOLDEN MOUNTAIN was the worst story-arc of NML.
Other nominees were UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, THE CODE, and  BREAD AND CIRCUSES.

#33. BEST SINGLE-ISSUE STORY

50% of voters felt that Devin Grayson's SPIRITUAL CURRENCY was the best single-issue story of NML. Other worthy mentions were HOME SWEET HOME and Rucka's ASSEMBLY.

#34. WORST SINGLE-ISSUE STORY

Likewise, 50% of you voted Larry Hama's POWERPLAY as the worst issue of NML. Other nominees were Dixon's CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY,  Hama's HOMECOMING, and Rucka's ASSEMBLY REDUX.

#35. BEST WRITER

Greg Rucka stole the show in this category with 66.7% of the vote. 
Splitting up the remaining third of the vote in equal parts were Devin Grayson, Bob Gale (NO LAW AND A NEW ORDER), and Chuck Dixon.

#36. WORST WRITER

83.3% of you voted Larry Hama as the worst writer during the NML arc. Other nominees include Devin Grayson.

#37. BEST ARTIST

Mike Deodato (CLAIM JUMPING, HOMECOMING, THE CODE) and Scott McDaniel (the NIGHTWING titles) tied for first place in this category with 28.6% each. Other nominees were Jim Balent (CATWOMAN titles, I believe?), Dale Eaglesham (FEAR OF FAITH, SPIRITUAL CURRENCY, parts of ENDGAME), and Alex Maleev (NO LAW AND A NEW ORDER, I think?).

#38. WORST ARTIST

D'Israeli (BREAD AND CIRCUSES) was regarded as the worst-suited artist in NML, with 40% of the vote. Jim Balent, Frank Terran, and Paul Ryan were also voted for.

#39. FAVOURITE MOMENT OF NML

This category was left so wide open that the possibilities for answers were virtually endless. The only moment that recieved more than one vote (two, count 'em, TWO!) was the moment when Lex Luthor makes his first appearance in Gotham at the very end of ASSEMBLY REDUX. 
That recieved 20% of the vote. The following each recieved 10%:
-Batman saves Alfred when he returns to NML in NO LAW AND A 
NEW ORDER
-Two-Face defeats Batman in CLAIM JUMPING (Re: TAILS - YOU LOSE)
-Batman strips Huntress of the Batgirl-mantle in ASSEMBLY
-Gordon makes Harvey Dent put Two-Face on trial in JURISPRUDENCE
-Batman unmasks himself to Gordon in FALLING BACK
-Helicopters bearing gifts for Gotham arrive in ENDGAME
-The Joker kills Sarah Essen in ENDGAME
-Gordon shoots the Joker in the leg in ENDGAME

BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
#40. BEST "BTAN" ISSUE

Three choices tied as the best of the year. , featuring the BATMAN BEYOND season two plot synopses; , our year end issue; hell, some just couldn't decide, so they said they ALL rock. (Yay us!) Each of these got 16.7% of the vote. Other issues were an issue in which we had an interview with Jeph Loeb, an issue with Ty Templeton, , Issue 48,  (featuring our interview with Greg Rucka), and  (featuring our editor's editorial on Paul Dini).

Thank you to everyone for voting! This poll wouldn't have been possible without you! That's two awards ceremonies down, an endless amount to go. See you all again in 11 months!
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EDITORIAL
(by Kelly Tindall)

Happy Anniversary!

Hi, guys! Sorry it's been so long since my last little letter, but I've been trapped underground with a Great Dane and a midget named Harold.

Since it's my birthday today, I'm feeling festive, so let's pay call to another blessed event that happened one year ago today; the sneak preview and first ever showing of Batman Beyond.

Yep, for better or worse, it's a year old today. It's given us thrills, chills, spills, a delightful young hottie named Dana, and a crusty old man named Bruce. And a Bat-Hound.

It's been a good year, guys, and I hope that the year 2000 is going to be a great one, in Gotham City and everywhere else. Happy new year, guys 'n gals!
_________________________
AND THAT'S THE FACTS
(by "Reliable Source")

(Yes, I understand that the title is grammatically incorrect. So sue us. Actually, nix that. Don't sue us.)

(DISCLAIMER: For those of you who are not yet familiar, Reliable Source is an anonymous character who first surfaced on Batman: The Animated Message Boards, spewing forth ridiculous predictions about the future of Batman Beyond under the guise of spoiler warnings. His controversial posts created quite a buzz, and have landed him a temporary column with this newsletter. The thoughts and ideas expressed by this shady character are in no way officially connected to Kids WB, Batman Beyond, 
this newsletter, or anything that is decent or holy. That said, on with the show.)

Let's get right down to it: Is this it for The New Batman/Superman Adventures or what? I haven't seen a new episode for 
quite a while, plus I've heard a lot of rumors that it's over, or that there will be a new show in 2001. Is 'Legacy' really the Superman finale? If so, will Batman get a finale? Well, since you are Mr. Reliable Source, I am sure you will finally clear this all up for me...
I must know!!!"

That is a question that you are not alone in asking. Many others have wondered the same thing. Well wonder no more, Wondering Woman! These words of wisdom will end the wondering for one and all.

Though WB has said that 'Legacy' (most likely airing sometime between now and the year 3425, give or take a year) will be the finale of Superman, this is both true and misleading. There is already a revival series in the works, "The NEW New Batman/Superman Adventures"! As we saw near the end of the Superman series, Superman works best with guest stars. Why, in the final months we saw guest shots by Steel, Supergirl, Green Lantern, AquaMan, and Batman. The producers reason that more guest stars equals bigger ratings, and right they are. After all, it was the appearance of Supergirl that really made "Unity" the great episode that it was, right? Because of this, the new series will be chock full of guest stars.

"The best part is, we have this great animation work already done," said a spokesman for the WB. He then produced a film canister that had the name "Super Friends"crossed out in magic marker, and "The New New Batman/Superman Adventures" written under it. Draw your own conclusions.

Thank you Wondering Woman for writing in, and thank you all, for this friendly, friendly world. Until next week, I remain Reliable Source. You can write to me at Reliable_S@hotmail.com. More as I hear it!
_________________________
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.

I have no real theme for this section of the quiz. Just go and knock yourself out, K?

246. Which of the following people has a Gotham street bearing the same name as theirs on BTAS?

A: Dr. Leslie Thompkins
B: Commissioner Jim Gordon
C: D.A. Harvey Dent
D: Bruce Wayne
E: Denny O'Neil

247. Which of the following episode(s) have a circus of some type involved in the story?

A: BIRDS OF A FEATHER
B: ROBIN'S RECKONING (Pt. 1)
C: BE A CLOWN
D: SIDESHOW
E: ANIMAL ACT

248. Which of the following has the Penguin NOT used to attack Batman (or any of his crew) with?

A: An umbrella
B: A screwdriver
C: Hummingbirds
D: Pigeons
E: Penguins

249. In the opening title for the "The Adventures of Batman & Robin" batch of episodes, which characters, aside from Batman and Robin themselves, make an appearance?

A: Alfred
B: Batgirl
C: Tony Zucco
D: The Joker
E: Two-Face

250. Aside from Talia, name one other relative of Ra's Al Ghul that has appeared on the series.

A: There aren't any others aside from Talia
B: Ubu
C: Jonah Hex
D: Arkady Duvall
E: Haddam Susein
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ANSWERS TO THE TRIVIA

Answer to #246: A, E
Answer to #247: B, D, E
Answer to #248: E
Answer to #249: B, C
Answer to #250: D
__________________________
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!

CONBTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
1) The pirate-esque thug in "The Man Who Killed Batman" (he's the one that wanted to take down Sid after Sid apparently killed Batman) appears again in "Batgirl Returns" - very briefly, mind you, when Batgirl and Catwoman are caught in the middle of a fight at the Stacked Deck.

CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by "Jpx98")
2) In the Superman episode "Father's Day", the head waiter taking down names looks and sounds looks like the Ventriloquist.

3) In Batman Beyond #3 (ongoing comic series), Dr. Cuvier looks like the way he did before Terry pumped with splicer's DNA on the show . But never said how changes back from monster he became.

(by "Brian Davis")
4) The amazing penetrating box! In "Rebirth (Pt. 1)", when Terry is bringing the box of belongings into his room and his brother is standing at the threshold of the door, watch closely...the box goes straight through Matt's fore-head! 
Spooky...