SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE
Q & A With MIN S. KU
(by Dick Grayson)
Welcome to another interview, this time with Min S Ku. "Who's that?" you say? He's done (and is doing more) fill-in art for BATMAN BEYOND, as well as SUPERMAN ADVENTURES (including the big 50!). He's also worked on BEYOND storyboards, and the limited
SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED 1/2 issue for Wizard. So, without furthur adieu, the Q & A...enjoy!
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER#1: Some readers may be unfamiliar with you and your work. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
MIN S. KU#1: I consider myself very fortunate to have graduated from the Joe Kubert school and to find work in the comic book industry in such a short period of time! I've gotten a chance to draw my favorite character, Spider-man (Spider-man Unlimited #1/2), some
Batman Beyond storyboards for WB and of course, some fill-in issues of Superman Adventures and Batman Beyond for DC omics!
BTAN#2. When did you realize you wanted to work in the comic business? Did it just one day smack you on the head like an anvil?
MSK#2. I loved comics for as long as I remembered, but I always thought that comic book artists were making barely enough to survive. When I read that Jim Lee made over six figures with the release of X-men #1, I realized that a lot has changed and artists can indeed
make a decent living drawing cartoons! After that, I was determined to break into the industry!
BTAN#3. You just started working in comics in 1999, so what else did you work at to keep you financially secure? Any embarrassing job?
MSK#3. Embarrassing job? Hmm...I can't seem to recall any embarrassing work I had to do...guess I've been pretty fortunate!
BTAN#4. You were featured in a recent issue of WIZARD magazine. How were you picked to write that article? Or did you have to contact them?
MSK#4. Wizard came to the school and Joe Kubert picked out two third-year students (me being one of them of course) to write about our experience during our school visit to DC comics. We both got paid, and Wizard decided to go with my story for the print magazine.
Wizard did however, publish both our stories (the un-abridged versions) on their website.
BTAN#5. Do you think that article paid off?
MSK#5. Probably.
BTAN#6. What was your first reaction when DC contacted you about BATMAN BEYOND and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES, besides: "Yes! Money!"?
MSK#6. I tell ya...getting that first phone call from Joey Cavalieri (the SUPERMAN ADVENTURES editor) was exhilarating, to say the least! It just makes you feel wanted, that's for sure! Til this day, whenever that phone rings with a job offer, I still feel
the same goosebumps I felt during that first call!
BTAN#7. Did you have any prior knowledge of the shows these comics were based on? Were you a fan?
MSK#7. I jumped on board pretty late into the game. March 1999 to be exact. I have Joe Kubert to thank for pushing me in that direction. Before then, I'd never seen a single episode of the new adventures of Superman and Batman, nor Batman Beyond. (I
did see the first few episodes of the original Batman series when it aired during primetime on Fox). Anyway, Joe gave us a whopper of an assignment... We had to write, pencil, ink, hand-letter and color 3 pages, and the pencils were due in one week! Keep in mind that each
student had 10 different classes with 10 different homework assignments! I've seen the animated comics, and I thought doing the 3 pages in the animated style would help me meet that one week deadline... and it did! But I also discovered that I had a knack for drawing in the
Timm style, and I pursued it ever since! Of course I started watching the show shortly thereafter, and I couldn't believe what I've been missing all these years! These were the BEST ANIMATED SHOWS ON TV, PERIOD! I became an instant fan!
BTAN#8. Do you have any characters that you would love to draw someday? Why?
MSK#8. I'd LOVE to draw the whole JLA in the Timm style. Timm has already spelled out how Green Lantern, the Flash, Aquaman and Wonder Woman (the WB maquette) look, so it'd be awesome to see everyone together, if not on the tv screen, in the comic books!
Unfortunately, the sales in the animated books won't warrant such a series (mini or ongoing).
BTAN#9. Who is your inspiration in the comic field? Is there any creator in particular that you look up too?
MSK#9. I've got a number of role models in the comic book industry and they're by no means in any ranking order.
JOE KUBERT: he is like god to the world of comic books! He has so much knowledge that every session i have with him, i learn something new!
JOHN ROMITA: the nicest guy in comics! In my opinion, he drew the definitive Spider-man! He also drew the classiest females!
ALEX TOTH: he's referred to as the artist's artist! I love the way he tells a story and how he simplifies everything so beautifully!
BRUCE TIMM: no introductions needed!
JACK KIRBY: he's known as "the king" of comics and I've never liked his artwork as a kid , but now, I have the biggest respect for him! I can see why so many artists out there turn to the King!
BTAN#10. Now our mandatory final question: Have any information about upcoming issues of plots you'd like to share with our readers?
Hey... I answered this question a few weeks ago! Sorry, nothing new to report.*
*In case you have no clue about that statement, he dropped some news for us in a past issue of BTAN (A couple back), as well as news for the WORLD'S FINEST NEWS PAGE -- which can be accessed via archives. So, go find it!!
Thanx, Min!
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EDITORIAL
(by Dick Grayson)
RETROSPECTIVE
It's weird how time flies. I especially can't believe it's been two years since this newsletter began. It's amazing how it's evolved from such a small newsletter into the behemoth it is today. If you go back and look at the first issue, and look at this one, you'll see
that it's completely different, yet keeps all it's original goal - to inform our fellow loyal Bat-fans. The first newsletter is so small and skimpy compared to this very issue. Over the years this newsletter has changed and morphed into something all around better. And it all sprang up
over a simple comment about how there's not a single newsletter dedicated to the animated world of Batman.
If I remember correctly, the newsletter's first issue only had around 200 subscribers or so. When I look at how many are subscribed now, nearly 1900, I wonder how did they all hear about it? Word of mouth or our clever advertising throughout the net? I know it was
partially due to the net becuase we were able to land ourselves on some pretty big name sites (CINESCAPE, DARK HORIZONS, COMICS CONTINUUM), some Bat-writers and artists actually look to us for news and entertainment (that's the ultimate compliment) and still occasionally do. When I first
saw BTAN was credited for a news exclusive, I almost flipped out. It's pretty big to see your work credited by such high-standing people. It's still sorta funny how Tim and I began this.
It was spun out of a simple conversation. It's funny how one little word can motivate people to do this. Before the newsletter began, Tim and I were advertising it and dropping mentions of it all around the net to get fans interested. I sent out early drafts on it to
get opinions. Basically, the newsletter was made BY fans, FOR the fans, and I think it's better that way. (It's true! Just compare the official Bat-sites to fan-made ones...they blow them all out of the water, with the exception of
www.batman-superman.com)
I think newsletter made by devotees and hard core fans are better than those corporate ones which are just churned out on a weekly basis and are so cold. Fan-made newsletters have that extra punch to it. That extra 'zing' that makes it work just right. Our newsletter may not be perfect
(hence, our "Make Us Look Like Fools And Get Your Name In Print" section from a few months back), but I think it's the best damn newsletter out there.
One of the many things this newsletter has helped me accomplish is talk to the creators behind the show and the comics. I've talked from almost everyone from Paul Dini (very breifly) to Alan Burnett to Hilary Bader, all of which have been an extreme joy to talk too. Of
course, then there are the comic creators who have got to be the nicest folks in the business. They actually go out of their way just to help you out. Good examples are Terry Beatty, Rick Burchett, Craig Rousseau, and Min S. KU. Now THERE are comic creators you can actually talk to without
any fear - or time restrictions. It's amazing how almost the entire crew affiliated with the animated comic line are completely down to earth and the nicest folk. And I got to tlak to them. I'm still jealous that Tim got to talk to Jeph Loeb, Boyd Kirkland, and Greg Rucka, though :-P
Without Tim, of course, there'd be no newsletter to talk about. This newsletter has tied us together, for better or worse, for the past two years and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Sure there was the occasional mix up, and the newsletter did fall on hard times
during it's first year, but fans, and I, were able to overlook all that trash and garbage that got thrown at us. Why? Becuase we knew the product we were making was far superior than anything out there. This editorial may not be so well written (remember, I said "our newsletter may
not be perfect"), but I don't think it has to be. My editorial will no way even touch upon what I've been able to accomplish becuase of this email. Without the wonderful people who've helped us on this newsletter, there'd be nothing to write about.
The past two years have been great, now here's hoping for many many more!
-DG
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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.
"ANYTHING THAT INVOLVES THE NUMBER TWO..."
You'll notice that I beefed up our quiz section, just for this issue. Enjoy!
336. On the animated series, who was the SECOND Robin?
A: Dick Grayson
B: Jason Todd
C: Tim Drake
D: Carrie Kelly
E: Burt Ward
337. In the order of original appearance on TV or video, who was the second person to be heard providing a voice for Batgirl?
Answer: _____________
338. Out of BATMAN, SUPERMAN, and BATMAN BEYOND, which series' episode marked "Episode #02" is NOT part of a multi-episode storyline?
A: Batman: The Animated Series
B: Superman
C: Batman Beyond
339. Name the only BTAS episode with the word "second" in the title.
Answer: _____________
340. The second time Batman fought Inque in BATMAN BEYOND, where did the finale take place?
A: In the Batcave
B: At the waterfront
C: At a Foxteca Plant
D: In an arena
E: In the cryogenic-freezing-chamber-jail-place-thingee
341. Who does Batman fight on December 22 in HOLIDAY KNIGHTS?
A: The Joker
B: Two-Face
C: Mr. Freeze
D: Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy
E: Clayface
342. Who was the second person to give Batman (Bruce Wayne, NOT the Terry McGinnis version) a voice on BTAS?
A: No one. Kevin Conroy is the only one!
B: Adam West
C: Will Friedle
D: Loren Lester
E: Michael Ironside
343. Which of the following villains appeared in MORE than two "new style" Batman episodes (crossovers with Superman included)?
A: Two-Face
B: The Scarecrow
C: The Mad Hatter
D: Bane
E: The Riddler
F: Killer Croc
G: The Penguin
H: Catwoman
344. Which of the following villains appeared in LESS than two "new style" Batman episodes (crossovers with Superman included)?
A: Two-Face
B: The Scarecrow
C: The Mad Hatter
D: The Ventriloquist
E: Mr. Freeze
F: The Riddler
G: Baby-Doll
H: Catwoman
I: Clayface
J: Poison Ivy
345. Who was the second person to give the Scarecrow a voice?
Answer: _______________
346. Name Ra's Al Ghul's two offspring that have appeared on BTAS.
Answer: _______________
347. Complete the following quote by injecting the correct phrase into the blank:
"I am vengeance. _______________. I AM BATMAN."
A: I am the night.
B: I am your worst nightmare.
C: I am gonna getchu, sucka.
D: You cannot defeat me.
E: I am the terror that flaps in the night.
348. Which of the following characters have not appeared in a two-part (or multi-part) episode?
A: Harvey Bullock
B: Poison Ivy
C: The Joker
D: Ubu
E: Tim Drake
349. Which villain(s) starred in ISSUE #2 of THE BATMAN ADVENTURES, THE BATMAN & ROBIN ADVENTURES, THE LOST YEARS, and BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES, in chronological order?
A: Catwoman; the Penguin; Ra's Al Ghul; the Joker
B: Two-Face; the Joker; Two-Face; Two-Face
C: Catwoman; Two-Face; the Joker; Two-Face
D: The Penguin; Catwoman; Two-Face; the Riddler
E: Clayface; Harley Quinn; the Riddler; the Joker
350. According to original episode air date, what was the second-to-last word Batman ever said on BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (crossovers with Superman NOT included)?
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #336: C
Answer to #337: Tara Charendoff
Answer to #338: A
Answer to #339: SECOND CHANCE
Answer to #340: D
Answer to #341: D
Answer to #342: E
Answer to #343: C, D, E, G
Answer to #344: E, G
Answer to #345: Jeffrey Combs
Answer to #346: Talia, Arkady Duvall
Answer to #347: A
Answer to #348: B, E
Answer to #349: C
Answer to #350: "did"
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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 and STAS countless times. If you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!
CONTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
1) Ever notice the similarity in dialogue between scripts? When Batman is chasing Harley in the Batmobile in "Harley's Holiday", she exclaims "Hey, Bats! Wanna race?" And then, in the BATMAN BEYOND episode "Joyride", when Batman is pursuing the Jokerz
gang, Scab (the big one) says the exact same thing. Well, ain't that a co-inky-dink.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
Rien.
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MERCHANDISING: WHERE THE REAL BAT-CASH IS MADE
(by anyone who wishes to contribute)
Come on...contribute...come ONNNN....
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