Batman: The Animated Newsletter

AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)

Answer to #411: The Scarecrow
Answer to #412: The Joker
Answer to #413: Aaron
Answer to #414: Polluters
Answer to #415: Commissioner Gordon, Mayor Hill, Summer Gleason
Answer to #416: I'VE GOT BATMAN IN MY BASEMENT
Answer to #417: Stacy Keach, Jr.
Answer to #418: The Phantasm
Answer to #419: DAY OF THE SAMURAI
Answer to #420: April ()
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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) In the BEYOND episode MELTDOWN, watch the scene where Batman, Blight, and Freeze are having their three-way fight. Right after Blight snaps the Bat-rope Batman wraps around him, Batman is shocked back onto a catwalk spanning across the room completely suspended, no walls on either side of it to give it support. However, in the next seen, the catwalk Batman is laying upon runs right alongside a wall. Blooper!

CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by "The Phantom Nuisance", "Koby the Interactive Bear")
1) LAST WEEK, WE STATED THE FOLLOWING:
There's an estbalished chemistry between Batgirl/Barbara and Robin/Nightwing/Dick throughout the series. But in "Batgirl Returns", Barbara's fantasy shows us that she also has a mighty crush on Batman, but the issue is never brought up again. Hmmm...

THE PHANTOM NUISANCE SAYS: Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't Barbara and Bruce go on together as 'lovers' inbetween TNBA and BB (as stated in A TOUCH OF CURARE).
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MERCHANDISING: WHERE THE REAL BAT-CASH IS MADE
(by Bill Curtis)

Well, well, well.

The most talked-about, and sought after current Batman-related item is definately the unreleased, uncut tape of "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker".

After originally changing the release date from November 7th to Hallowe'en (October 31st), and then to October 24th, Warner Brothers then did the unthinkable; by announcing it would now not be released until December 12th. The first "official" spin they tried to put on the delay was that they decided to hold it for the more lucrative "holiday" season sales. Cyber sleuths, however, soon deduced WB's real reason for this delay: caving in to U.S. election year politics, the film was being re-edited to a more "child-friendly" edition. Gone is the darker, harder edge that Paul Dini and Bruce Timm were so proud of. What we'll be left with is anyone's guess, but the original vision will be lost, unless WB decides on 2 formats: "kid-friendly" VHS, and maybe a "director's cut" on DVD. This seems to be the overwhelming choice currently on most sites I've seen.

I'm not going to use this column to get into a rant about first amendment rights, freedom of speech, censorship, etc. If there are those of you (and I know there are) who can't wait for this film, or are afraid of it being butchered beyond recognition, there are plenty of black market copies floating around out there. Be prepared to pay big bucks, however! Word about this has gotten out, and the video pirates are charging $100 and up for copies (we've seen over $150 at eBay), and God only knows the condition of the video you're getting!

My advice is to wait and see what WB releases. If you do seek out these "other" sources: Buyer Beware! NEVER buy a tape without seeing the quality first, and don't cry if you're ripped off! ANY tape (or product for that matter) that you buy that is not sold or sanctioned by WB is illegal, and a bootleg.

Okay, disclaimers aside let's talk merchandise: The big talk around this whole ball of wax was from a boxed set WB sent out to distributors as a "Promotional Item Only". It consists of a black box with green writing which reads: "Just when you thought Gotham was safe". When you open the box, a light sensor triggers a sound chip of the Joker laughing. There are three sound bursts of laughter per trigger. Inside the box are a Thunderwhip Batman Beyond figure, a maxi- single CD with music from the soundtrack, and the most important item: a screening copy of the uncut, unedited version of "Return of the Joker." I've seen and heard of this item, but have not been able to get my hands on one yet. Again, a warning: I bid on one of these recently at an on-line auction site, only to be outbid at the last minute. The winner was gracious enough to contact me after the auction, and advised me he'd let me know the quality of the screening video. However, the seller tried to pull a fast one and enclosed a video of the making of the movie, not the movie itself!

Again, the best advice is: if you can't see what you're buying, don't buy! That's it for now. Keep your fingers crossed, let's all give WB the benefit of the doubt, that they'll do the right thing. Until next time: same bat-time, same bat-channel!
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COMIC REVIEWS
(BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
(BATMAN BEYOND by Bill Curtis)
(SUPERMAN ADVENTURES by Dick Grayson)

BATMAN BEYOND
ISSUE: "Commissioner of Fear" (#13)
WRITTEN BY: Hilary J. Bader
PENCILS: Min S. Ku
INKS: Ande Parks
ISSUED: September 27, 2000 (Cover date Nov 2000)
RATING: 9/10

Synopsis: Commissioner Barbara Gordon holds the key to finding a young kidnap victim, but will she be able to overcome the recurring effects of the fear toxin the Scarecrow exposed her to years ago?

Great story, and a great premise! Barbara Gordon still suffers fear trauma every 4-5 years as a result of the Scarecrow's fear toxin she was exposed to in the now classic BTAS episode "Over the Edge". All this ties in very nicely and very neatly into a story about a young kidnapping victim the Commissioner and Batman are tracking down.

After nearly dropping an informant (and herself) off a rooftop, Barbara admits to her husband that she is having a problem, but says she must push through it to save the young hostage. Using her police clout, she picks up Terry, and tells him the tale of that fateful night on the rooftop, when she was exposed to Scarecrow's fear serum, and the "Over the Edge" dream that followed. She then admits to Terry that the terrors happen every 4-5 years, despite Bruce Wayne's help. Bruce could only offer a treatment, not a cure. After the predictable chase and battle with goons, Barbara is talked through the worst of the terrors by Terry (as Batman). Barbara had it out with the brains behind the kidnapping, and just as he's about to drop her to her death (he thinks), he taunts her with the location of the missing little girl. Barbara does fall, but is caught by Batman. She tells him where to find the girl before passing out. When she awakens, she is in the Batcave, and is informed that she has been out for about a day and a half. Barbara is impressed that Terry stayed with her the whole time, and makes a startling proclamation. Although Terry will never be the Batman Bruce Wayne was; now he IS Batman.

I loved the fact that they tied this Batman Beyond story in Bruce/Barbara's past. I think this is an area that is just begging to be covered, both in these stories, and in the animated "Batman Beyond" episodes as well. I'm glad the new "Return of the Joker" movie will show parts of Bruce's past, in an effort to bridge the gap between Batman, and Batman Beyond.

The artwork was passable; not what we're used to, but good, nonetheless. At least it seems we've done away with those God-awful bugeyes Terry suffers when he's in the mask! The best artwork, in fact, was the cover: neatly tying "Over the Edge" into this issue's story.

A solid 9 out of 10, and I can't wait for more tie-ins!
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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, BATMAN BEYOND, and SUPERMAN ADVENTURES. 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 in Canada. (Both our editors and many subscribers are Canadian, hence the "grrr".)
   If we are unsure of the exact date of when an issue is being released, just check out "DIRECT CURRENTS" at http://www.dccomics.com for details.

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #32
November 1st
Synopsis: The Scarecrow is up to his usual sinister tricks as he unleashes a deadly gas that has the entire city of Gotham going completely crazy! Mass mayhem and destruction ensue as millions of Gothamites literally lose their minds. Can Batman and the gang save the masses from themselves?
Cover: Unavailable

FOLLOWING MONTH:
Synopsis: Batman begins to doubt whether his actions really make a difference in the world, and the guest-starring Phantom Stranger appears to show him what a world without a Dark Knight would look like - and believe us, it isn`t pretty! Batman sees first-hand that his quest has made the lives of his comrades much greater, as one by one they seem to follow the wrong path in the Stranger`s vision!
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0009/19/BGothAd33.jpg

BATMAN BEYOND #14
October 25th
Synopsis: Etrigan the Demon guest-stars! Halloween time has come around, bringing mischief, mayhem and downright evil to the future Gotham City. Batman can't handle it all alone - but will the unstoppable and unpredictable Etrigan be of any help, or will he just have his fun on All Hallows' Eve?
Cover: http://www.dccomics.com/directcurrents/comics/October18/covers/down/DBMB14.jpg

FOLLOWING MONTH:
Synopsis: Just who is the mysterious new being called Erica Electra who`s been crossing paths with future Batman Terry McGinnis? Is she friend or foe? And will Terry`s girlfriend now have reasons to be jealous?
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Miscellaneous/BatmanMiscellaneous226298.jpg
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NEWS AND RUMORS

ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-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)
-On Saturday, November 4th, Canadian TV station GLOBAL will have a 3 hour/6 episode BATMAN BEYOND marathon. The episodes that will appear are: BETRAYAL, UNTOUCHABLE, INQUELING, ACE IN THE HOLE, BIG TIME, SPEAK NO EVIL.
-For pics and information for THE ZETA PROJECT, go to:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0009/26/index.htm
-A JLA series is confirmed to be in development at WB...but Paul Dini isn't saying anything about it.

ANIMATED COMICS
-Distribution of the comic adapation of BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER has been pushed back to December 13, to coincide with the video release the day before.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #33:
On sale December 13. Batman begins to doubt whether his actions really make a difference in the world, and the guest-starring Phantom Stranger appears to show him what a world without a Dark Knight would look like - and believe us, it isn`t pretty! Batman sees first-hand that his quest has made the lives of his comrades much greater, as one by one they seem to follow the wrong path in the Stranger`s vision!
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0009/19/BGothAd33.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #34
Written by Scott Peterson, art by Tim Levins and Terry Beatty, cover by Bob Smith and Beatty. After several citizens of Gotham City mysteriously disappear, Batman's search leads to the maniacal Maxie Zeus! But what would Maxie want with carpenters and stonecutters? Why, to rebuild Rome, of course. Ships on January 3, 2001.
-BATMAN BEYOND #15:
(Written by Jason Hernandez-Rosenblatt; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Brian Stelfreeze)
On sale November 29. Just who is the mysterious new being called Erica Electra who`s been crossing paths with future Batman Terry McGinnis? Is she friend or foe? And will Terry`s girlfriend now have reasons to be jealous?
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Miscellaneous/BatmanMiscellaneous226298.jpg
-BATMAN BEYOND #16
Homeless men have been mysteriously disappearing from Gotham's streets, thanks to the international terrorist group known as Kobra. But as Batman investigates, he quickly goes from hunter to hunted - and Bruce must somehow infiltrate Kobra to free the captured hero.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0009/19/BB16.jpg
-BATMAN BEYOND #17
Written by Hilary Bader, art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh, cover by Brian Stelfreeze.
A former classmate comes back looking for revenge after being brushed off by Dana. But Batman Terry McGinnis won't let one hair of Dana's head be harmed, even if it means being swamped by rats. Ships January 31, 2001.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0010/17/BB17.jpg

OTHER COMICS
-BATMAN: OFFICER DOWN
Remember 1999? Remember the huge ramifications that NML had on the entire Bat-universe? In January 2001, all of the comic creative teams are making Batman's battle against crime all the more gut-wrenching and all the more personal: Commissioner Gordon gets shot three times in the back. Brought to you by Greg Rucka, Matt Idelson, Ed Brubaker, Chuck Dixon, Devin Grayson, Nunzio DeFilippis.
Feature Article: http://www.fandom.com/comics/Editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=234722
Cover: http://www.fandon.com/multimedia/Comics/News/ComicsNews234690.jpg
Cover (to BIRDS OF PREY #27): http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Comics/News/ComicsNews234691.JPG
-BATMAN CHRONICLES has been cancelled. November 2000's issue (#23) will be the last; DC says this is only due to poor sales.
-The third issue of HARLEY QUINN features an all-girl slumber party. Oh, Ivy's gonna be very happy about this.
The cover can be found here:
http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Comics/News/ComicNews232646.JPG
-HARLEY QUINN #4:
Introducing...the Quinntettes! They're the baddest, meanest, most dysfunctional henchmen Harley could find, and they're ready for action. But the first mission's not what anyone's expecting, and one of the Quinntettes has something strange going on...in his head.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0010/17/HQ4.jpg
-A Harley/Ivy team-up and a road-trip to Metropolis in the pages of HARLEY QUINN is in the planning stages for future issues.
*The following 7 issues are all a part of DC's " This Issue: BATMAN DIES!" promotion for December. (That's right! Batman dies in every one of the following issues in some way.)
-Bane appears in BIRDS OF PREY #26
-Two-Face and Montoya are again the focus of DETECTIVE COMICS #753.
-The Joker appears in ROBIN #85.
-Mr. Zsasz appears in GOTHAM KNIGHTS #12.
-Catwoman appears in NIGHTWING #52.
-Batman's war against the Penguin continues in BATMAN #586.
-Cain re-appears in BATGIRL #11.
-ROBIN: YEAR ONE #2
On sale November 29. Robin squares off against the Mothman, the original Blockbuster, and Two-Face - all while trying to live the life of a normal teenager. When duty gets in the way of blooming romance, Dick at last learns the impossible cost he must pay to be a champion of good.
Cover: http://www.fandom.com/multimedia/Batman/Miscellaneous/BatmanMiscellaneous226294.jpg
-ROBIN: YEAR ONE #3
Robin's first battle with Mr. Freeze.
-ROBIN: YEAR ONE #4
The final chapter in the saga of young Dick Grayson. Robin's healed, but Two-Face remains at large, and a city-wide manhunt is falling woefully short. While Harvey Dent is on the loose, Robin must prepare himself to face the man who nearly killed him during their first encounter. But when Robin takes things too far, a life hangs in the balance and Robin must question the sanctity of his actions.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0010/17/RobinYO4.jpg
-Ra's Al Ghul appears in ACTION COMICS #772 and 773.

MOVIES
*RETURN OF THE JOKER NEWS:
-Read Paul Dini's words on the delaying/cutting of ROTJ by following this link:
http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=7166
-The release date for RETURN OF THE JOKER has been PUSHED BACK to December 12th, 2000. Why? Undoubtedly, this was done with the idea that they'd sell more during the holiday season. Perhaps, but come on...this just isn't fair, especially after all the work everyone did to bring it out WAY AHEAD of the original planned date (from November 7 to October 24). This allcomes from Stan Berkowitz himself, and the folks at Amazon.com.
-For NEW pics from RETURN OF THE JOKER, check here:
*Video cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0009/25/bbtape.htm
*Batman fights that zombie-like guy: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0009/25/bb1.htm
*Batman in cloud of smoke: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0009/25/bb2.htm
-The Batman Beyond website (www.batmanbeyond.com) will be adding interactive features that include a 10-minute "Return of the Joker" preview Webcast, a soundtrack sampler, a clip from the music video, interactive arcade games, character biographies, weekly contests and sweepstakes for chances to win great prizes, questions for the creators, chat events and much more. (All the previous movie info was taken from Alan J. Porter's "Gotham Weekly News" newsletter)

*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-Word is leaking out from the UK major record label Distinct'ive that Warners and Paul Dini are apparently very interested in one of their clients to score the upcoming BB live-action film. Who? Mike Truman, Chris Healings, and Lee Mullin - the trio that make up the eletronica group HYBRID who are responsible for the recent critically acclaimed album "Wide Again". No way to confirm this yet, but will keep an eye on it. Thanks to DARK HORIZONS.
-Director BOAZ YAKIN says this about his take on the BATMAN BEYOND feature: When asked if he can avoid the cliches of previous comic book films, Yakin answered, "Just because the characters are familiar and mainstream doesn't mean we need to follow a traditional, generic arc with them. Everything I do I hope is really sophisticated, so this will not stop here."
-YAKIN will also be co-writing the script and making it far more intense and more adult-oriented than ANY of the previous Bat-movies. At least that's his intention.

*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-Darren Aronofsky talks BATMAN 5:
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/int/2000/10/13/aronofsky/index2.html
-Frank Miller talks BATMAN 5 over at CINESCAPE:
Frank Miller is talking about his collaboration with Darren Aronofsky on the script for Batman 5, based on Miller's Batman: Year One comic series. Miller revealed the following: "Darren and I had a lot of fun working together on the Ronin movie project. We make a good team, I think...Darren in particular wanted to make Year One."
He adds, "I expect to have a lot of fun with Year One. From the get go, I see many things that need changing -- but ultimately even if the movie gets made, mine will only be one of many voices calling the shots. I'll bring my very best efforts to the script. I won't write a single line I don't believe in."
-The Comics2Film newsletter reports that the "Pure Batman5 Rumors website, (http://homes.acmecity.com/batman/arkham/23/) says director Darren Aronofsky may have long-term plans for Batman. While it was recently announced that Aronofsky would direct and co-write Batman: Year One, an unnamed source tells Frosteey that the director is hoping to do a trilogy of movies. The source claims that the cycle will start with Year One and end with The Dark Knight Returns. The source did not know what the second part of the series would be" This is the first we've heard of this rumor, however stories have circulated in the past the Aronofsky is keen on doing The Dark Knight Returns.
-Recent reports have stated that Aronofsky might not be as close to doing BATMAN 5 as we originally thought - for he and Miller are working on an adaption of RONIN as well. However now, either don't know which will go into production first - whichever gets a script completed first is the winner, apparently.

LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-The WB Network has just ordered 13 episodes of a pre-Superman 'CLARK KENT' series; they sure jumped on that one quick!
-To view anything regarding the Batman ONSTAR commercials, go here:
http://www.onstar.com
-Four online, interactive comic books (featuring Batman, the Joker, Catwoman, Two-Face, Alfred, and Commissioner Gordon) can also be found at the OnStar site.
-It looks like a fifth webisode featuring the Riddler will be coming soon.
-Check out http://www.fandom.com/batman for downloadable versions of the ONSTAR commercials if the official ONSTAR site is not being cooperative with your PC. Two of the commercials can also be found at http://www.adcritic.com - just search for "Batman".

EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-The seventh GOTHAM GIRLS webisode (featuring Poison Ivy) can be found at
http://www.gothamgirls.com

TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-The following is a listing of the 14 tracks you'll find on the RETURN OF THE JOKER soundtrack.
Despite the delay of the debut of the video, the soundtrack is still due out on Oct 17, 2000.
1. Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (Main Title)
2. Industrial Heist
3. Meet The Joker
4. Joker Crashes Bruce's Party
5. Terry Relieved Of Duty
6. Nightclub Fight
7. Trap For Tim, A
8. Joker Family Portrait
9. Arkham Mayhem
10. Batman Defeats The Jokerz
11. Joker Meets His End (Again)
12. Healing Old Wounds
13. Crash - Mephisto Odyssey/Static-X (The Humble Brothers remix)
14. Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (End Title) - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
-Ubi Soft Entertainment and Kemco are teaming to publish Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker on the PlayStation game console, Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64 in North America. The games will also be published in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia under the name Batman of the Future: Return of The Joker. (They are all due out on November 16.)
-TOYS R US may be producing an "Arkham Asylum four-pack", featuring repaints of Batman, Two-Face, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy. Will the two femmes have new figures to correspond with their new designs? Thanks to the JokerInc newsletter for that newsbyte.
-BATMAN: TOTAL CHAOS will be available for Game Boy by Christmas 2000. It is based on the NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES style (BTAS), and allows you to play as either Batman or Batgirl vs. Two-Face, Bane, Poison Ivy, and the Joker (among others) over 18 levels. (Judging by the pics provided, you'll also encounter Mr. Freeze, the Penguin, and maybe even Killer Croc.)
http://pocket.ign.com/previews/14474.html
-BATMAN: OVERDRIVE, the new BTAS-based game for PSX and N64, puts you in the driver's seat of the Batmobile, Batcycle, and many other Bat-vehicles. You even get to play as any of the villains, should you desire to do so! It features (in no particular order), the Joker, Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, Clayface, Poison Ivy, the Scarecrow, Killer Croc, the Penguin, the Mad Hatter, the Ventriloquist/Scarface, Calendar Girl, Roxie Rockett, Firefly, Catwoman, and Bane. Go to the following link to see some shots of the villains-lineup, some shots of Batmanpersuing the Joker, and the exit to the Batcave.
http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/driving/batov_uk/preview.html

-Looking for a Batman-related costume this Hallowe'en? E-mail CowardlyLot@aol.com and put in a request! Go to http://www.fandom.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=225572 for details and great sample pics!

SPECIAL NOTE
For more BATMAN, SUPERMAN, AND BEYOND news throughout the week, check out the WORLD'S FINEST NEWS PAGE at:
http://www.geocities.com/bbeyond/news.html
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