Batman: The Animated Newsletter
Weeks of July 23, 2001 - August 5, 2001
Volume 4,
Rated: PG (as with all other things Batman-related)

THIS ISSUE'S SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE: "Happy belated non-denominational national holiday, everyone!"
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

-On account of possibly growing tedious, there have been some changes here at Batman: The Animated Newsletter. There have been some shuffling of the sections, trimming here, and deleting there, in hopes of making a sleeker, easier read for all of you. That, and we're testing out a new delivery procedure with this issue - some of our long-time subscribers may recall this method. Apparently we've been having some problems with the size of this newsletter - so hopefully it'll load quicker and easier this way. I hope this works out, everyone! If you have any suggestions to make this newsletter better, just let us know!

Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
-fearing change, but willing to give it a try
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EAGERLY ANTICIPATING...
New episodes are on the horizon! Here's what we can expect in the near future...

Unfortunately, there are no new Batman-related episodes debuting in the near future. We'll just have to wait until the JLA debuts this fall.
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NEWS AND RUMORS
(see back issues for older info)

ALL-ENCOMPASSING/OTHER
-A DVD of the original 1966 BATMAN movie with Adam West and Burt Ward is due out in August. West and Ward are both providing a retrospective commentary on the DVD, too.
-OnStar is staging an online promotion, with the prize being a walk-on role in the next Batman movie. Starting May 31, fans will have a chance to enter a sweepstakes at www.onstar.com to win a walk-on role in the next Batman movie, which is still in the planning stages with no firm dates set yet. The promotion is part of OnStar's marketing campaign, teaming with DC Comics, that includes two new TV spots, print ads and an interactive animated comic on the Internet.
"The relationship between OnStar and Batman has been extremely successful, helping to push OnStar awareness to new heights," said Mike McEnaney, OnStar director of sales and marketing services. "With this new integrated campaign, OnStar and DC Comics have created a simple, yet compelling way to tell more of the OnStar story."
The TV ads highlight OnStar's newest services, Personal Calling and Virtual Advisor. In one, which premiered during the Academy Awards, while fighting off an attack by the Penguin on his Batmobile, Batman places a hands-free call to longtime girlfriend Vicki Vale to warn her that he might be late for their dinner date.
The second ad pits Batman against the Riddler, who sends an e-mail via the OnStar Virtual Advisor. Batman also uses the Virtual Advisor to solve the riddle and prevent a crime. The commercials were directed by Vincent Ward.
-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, JLA)
-In addition to providing the voice of the Joker on JLA (of course), Mark Hamill will be voicing Solomon Grundy as well. (You might recall him from old Superman comics or THE LONG HALLOWEEN and DARK VICTORY.)
-Unfortunately, BTAS did not win the poll of series' to bring back to the CARTOON NETWORK (which I just don't understand), so don't expect it to return soon. Sigh.
-The public's first peek at the JLA series will be at the San Diego Comic-Con, July 19-21. I wanna go!
-BATMAN BEYOND will return to the Canadian cable channel YTV this September and will air episodes #31-52.

ANIMATED COMICS
-Just as with all WB animated series, the JLA animated series will also recieve a tie-in animated book, drawn in the animated style. It is tentatively entitled "JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES."
-A solo Harley story, a Riddler story, and the first Two-Face story in two years (how fitting) are upon us in the next few issues of GOTHAM ADVENTURES.
-Terry Beatty reports that the art-crew from BATMAN BEYOND (Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh) will be working on of the series.
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #42
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Craig Rousseau and Dan Davis; cover by Bob Smith and Terry Beatty. In stores September 5. Batman and Robin must combat a string of fires that are being set around Gotham. Could this be Firefly's first animated comic-book appearance?
Cover: http://www.assignmentx.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages271350.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #43
Who's out to get Harley Quinn? Batman has to take her on as a sidekick to find out. The answer awaits deep in Harley's history...that is, if she and the Dark Knight survive the traps set for them all over Gotham.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com:81/stories/0107/17/batadv43.jpg
-BATMAN BEYOND #24
This is the final issue of the series. Written by Hilary Barda; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh; cover by Darwyn Cooke. In stores August 29. There's something curious about Mom's new boyfriend. Could it be the claws, the fangs or the glowing eyes? That's right, it's the issue you've been waiting for as "Terry's Mom Dates a Splicer!" But what does Batman have to say about it?
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0105/23/BB24.htm
-For more animated comic updates, go here:
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/previews.html

OTHER COMICS
-Paul Dini will be writing a ZATANNA miniseries for DC Comics' VERTIGO series.
-THE JOKER: THE LAST LAUGH crossover news: (by Chuck Dixon)
-Issue #1: The Joker infects many other DCU villains with the concoction that made him what he is today - and only Black Canary stands in his way.
-Issue #2: Batman and Nightwing enter the story to stop the Joker from taking over the Slab.
-Issue #3: The Joker's Jokerized buddies spread their terror across the world, and the whole JLA gets involved. The Joker then realizes there's more to life than just a high body count, so his greatest scheme enters the planning stage...
-Issue #4: President Luthor decides to save the world from the Joker and his Jokerized buddies by bombing the bejesus out of 'em.
-Issue #5: Is it the end? Robin, Nightwing, and JLA, and...Harley?...vs. the Joker and his buddies?
-Issue #6: It all ends here. The Joker's staked out scenic Gotham Cathedral as the spot to make his final stand against Batman's allies, and he's made sure no other heroes will interfere with his final revenge. Nightwing's decided that the Joker's actions finally need to be stopped — but will he go too far? And what is the fate of Tim Drake? Will he become the second Robin to die at the hands of the Joker?
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com:81/stories/0107/17/jll6.htm
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #22
With the Joker's crazed super-villains terrorizing the DCU, Batman and Spoiler are left to defend Gotham City from a truly twisted new threat, as the Joker's brand of chemical warfare has transformed the creatures of Gotham.
-DETECTIVE COMICS #763
With Batman out mopping up "Jokerized" pests, Sasha decides to go on solo patrol. But the danger is double for her as she meets up with the knife-wielding new villain Cucilla and...the Huntress! Plus, an all-new 8-part backup serial begins this issue: Josie Mac, written by Judd Winick and illustrated by Cliff Chiang.
-BATMAN #596
As Last Laugh continues to roll out "Jokerized" mayhem across the country, Batman must contend with Zeiss, the Russian Mob and a new villain who knows if you've been bad or good — Santa Klaus.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com:81/stories/0107/17/batman596.htm
-ROBIN #95
The horrific events of Last Laugh #5 tie-in as Robin defies orders and heads into Arkham Asylum to try and prevent the Joker from adding to his legion of villains. But the villains know he's coming, and the odds are overwhelming. No problem, right?
-HARLEY QUINN #13
With the world becoming "Jokerized," will this mean Harley is reunited with her one true love? Think again! Instead, the Joker sends two of the strangest villains we've ever seen — Moonrock and Luna — after Harley to bring his wayward honey home. After all, Harley knows the secret of the Joker venom which has been causing havoc all throughout the DCU — and that makes her a threat. With only Poison Ivy around to help, it's time to run.
All other affected titles:
AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT #83
ORION #19
YOUNG JUSTICE #38
BIRDS OF PREY #36
IMPULSE #79
NIGHTWING #62
SUPERMAN #175; a Jokerized Doomsday (oooo!)
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #597; a Jokerized Lex Luthor (ooo!)
BATGIRL #21
JSA #29
THE SPECTRE #10
SUPERBOY #93; featuring the Creeper
THE FLASH #179
GREEN LANTERN #143
SUPERGIRL #63; featuring Two-Face and Batgirl
SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #119
WONDER WOMAN #175
ACTION COMICS #784
JLA #59
THE TITANS #34
-More news on Greg Rucka's BATMAN: TEN CENT ADVENTURE has surfaced! Rick Burchett and Rodney Ramos are doing the artwork, and it will lead into a later crossover this year: BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE.
-DETECTIVE COMICS #762: Vesper Fairchild, Bruce's old gal-pal from the pre-CATACLYSM days, comes back. Also, TRAIL OF THE CATWOMAN concludes.
Cover: http://www.comicon.com/gallery/categories/DC_Comics/media/DetectiveComicsCvr762.jpg
-BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #20: In stores August 15. Bruce Wayne makes a trip to Metropolis for a meeting with Talia, the new CEO of LexCorp - but it doesn't turn out as planned, and Batman has a run-in with Superman! Meanwhile, Dick Grayson and Batman both have to deal with the possibility that all of Grayson's family isn't dead after all, when a man claiming to be Dick's grandfather comes to town.
Cover: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0105/23/BmGK20.htm
-BATMAN #595, Cover: http://www.comicon.com/gallery/categories/DC_Comics/media/BatmanCvr595.jpg
-BATMAN: OFFICER DOWN will be collected in a trade paperback coming out on August 29.
-Here is a preliminary cover of Catwoman's new ongoing series (entitled CATWOMAN: VOLUME TWO):
http://www.assignmentx.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages267930.jpg
-BATGIRL #20: Batgirl reluctantly seeks the Spoiler's help for a case. Written by Chuck Dixon.
Cover: http://www.comicon.com/gallery/categories/DC_Comics/media/BatgirlCvr20.jpg
-HARLEY & IVY: LOVE ON THE LAM - a one-shot story chronolizing the duo's relationship post-NML but pre-HARLEY QUINN ongoing series. It's due out in September. Written by Judd Winick.
Cover: http://www.assignmentx.com/multimedia/Batman/Images/BatmanImages271321.jpg
-A hardcover version of DARK VICTORY, collecting all 13 issues, will be released on October 24. Don't expect a softcover version any earlier than March 2002.
-Two-Face appears in SUPERGIRL #62.

MOVIES
-Paul Dini is pondering ideas for a second BATMAN BEYOND direct-to-video movie, but nothing, repeat, NOTHING has been greenlit by the studio just yet.
-The original 1960's Batmobile will be featured in a prominent role in the Mark Wahlberg/Jennifer Aniston movie, ROCKSTAR. It is due out on September 14th.

*BATMAN: YEAR ONE (BATMAN 5) NEWS:
-WARNER BROS. is currently aiming for a 2003 summer release date for YEAR ONE. Frank Miller has wrapped up all of his comics projects (such as THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN) so he's focussing his attention on movie production, now.
-There is also rumours that YEAR ONE may not be made until 2005 or 2006, and BATMAN BEYOND may be the movie due out in 2003. For more, go here:
http://www.cinescape.com/7/editorial.asp?aff_id=7&this_cat=News&action=page&obj_id=27621&type_id=1130&cat_id=7576&sub_id=0

*BATMAN BEYOND: LIVE ACTION NEWS:
-The WB aims for the BATMAN BEYOND movie to be a continuation of the current Bat-movie franchise, following the previous four films, much like the BEYOND TV series followed BTAS.
-Paul Dini has already handed in the first script, and they're waiting for the WB to contact them back. He said his script was a lot more "hard-edged" than the TV series.
-This is NOT official, but rumblings at the WB seem to indicate BATMAN BEYOND will make it to theatres before YEAR ONE does. See the previous story under the "YEAR ONE" heading for details.

*BATMAN BEYOND: THE FOURTH ANIMATED MOVIE
-Nothing new today...just expect it to revolve around Nightwing, folks.

*CATWOMAN
-Apparently there are rumblings that Tim Burton MIGHT be the director. I wouldn't bet on this...yet.
-According to CINESCAPE, Ashley Judd has agreed to play Catwoman in the upcoming film of the same name.
-It looks like this Catwoman won't even be named Selina Kyle...apparently a new "mousy geeky girl" named Patience Prude is donning the Cat-cowl. Ugh - what's up with that?
-For a review of the script, go here: http://filmforce.ign.com//articles/50949p1.html
-(Can someone please explain to me how this even works as a Batman film? Or even a spin-off?)

LIVE ACTION TELEVISION
-For some shots (and a LOT of news) of the new SMALLVILLE series coming this fall, go here:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0107/09/index.htm
-For a promo poster for SMALLVILLE, go here:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0107/09/smallville.jpg
-SMALLVILLE creator Alfred Gough has gone public saying he'd love to involve Bruce Wayne on the show as a boarding school buddy with Lex Luthor, and really wants Christopher Reeve to make a cameo.
-A fifth ONSTAR commercial, featuring Batman and the Riddler, will be airing on TV soon.
-The fifth ONSTAR webisode, featuring (sorta) the Riddler and the Penguin, is now online, too.
-For a current airing schedule for the 1966 Adam West series, click here:
http://www.scifi.com/bin/schedulebot.cgi?wd=w&s=batman&ds=1&db=US%3AEastern&mon=4.01

EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ENDEAVOURS:
-The Batman section of FANDOM.COM has moved to the following URL:
http://www.assignmentx.com/batman/
-The Batmobile from BATMAN RETURNS is up on the auction block! Go to the following link for details:
http://www.assignmentx.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=270808
-BATMAN and future CATWOMAN writer Ed Brubaker now has his own web domain:
http://www.edbrubaker.com
-The second "season" of GOTHAM GIRLS has begun. The first webisode features Catwoman and Zatanna.

TOYS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MERCHANDISE
-BTAS is coming to DVD in early 2002! Stay tuned for further developments!
-All the 85 WB stores across the United States will be closed by October, 2001. However, there is word that the other 30 locations, such as in Canada and across the pond in European countries, will remain open because they operate under separate franchise agreements.
-More news on the special edition DVD's. Apparently now, the WB IS interested in getting Tim Burton back to do a commentary track on both of his Bat-movies; whether they also intend to release cut material for these movies, or intend to do the same for BATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN & ROBIN, is yet to be seen. Don't expect this to happen soon, though; Burton is busy doing a lot of promotional work for PLANET OF THE APES at the moment.
-January 23, 2002, marks ground zero for the release of a plush ACE THE BATHOUND doll!
Pic: http://www.assignmentx.com/multimedia/Batman/Batman_Collectibles/BatmanBatman_Collectibles271352.jpg
-Fast food chain JACK IN THE BOX is now selling JLA toys to go with their kids meal. These toys include figures of Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Superman, Supergirl, Steel, Hawkman, and Shazam. Check 'em out on eBay, too! (Thanks to Andie Nappi for providing this info!)
-Bad news, the SPECIAL EDITION BATMAN DVDs are not being made - at least not at this time. Argh.
-Craig "Gookie" Crumpton reports that he read at cube.ign.com that there's another Batman game in development called "Batman: Dark Tomorrow" (Kemco) scheduled for release on November 5, 2001 for Nintendo's Gamecube console. It will feature the Joker, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, Black Mask, the Ratcatcher, and many other baddies from the comics this is based on - NOT the animated series or the movies. Expect others to show up as well. There's a video of the visuals for the FMV videos of the game, too! For more, read here:
http://www.assignmentx.com/7/editorial.asp?aff_id=7&this_cat=News&action=page&obj_id=27311&type_id=1130&cat_id=40717&sub_id=0
-BATMAN: VENGEANCE, a new game by Ubi Soft for the Playstation 2, is in production! The story is being written by the show's writers, and it will have the "new" design look. Go to this address for stills from the game, featuring Batman, the Freezettes, Poison Ivy, Ivy's Lab (?), Batgirl, something else from what I presume is the Mr. Freeze level, the Funnibone warehouse (looks like Joker's in it for sure, too), the Batcave, and a whole bunch of shots of Gotham City. The game will probably price around $49.99, US.
http://www.assignmentx.com/batman/editorial.asp?action=page&obj_id=269762
http://ps2.ign.com/previews/16274.html

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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KIDS WB ANIMATION SCHEDULES:
(courtesy of Toonzone & Kids'WB!)

Kids'WB! currently airs BATMAN BEYOND on weekdays and weekends. Remember, Kids'WB! is notorious for switching schedules around at the very last minutes. Batman Beyond currently airs at 11:30am (ET) on Saturdays and during a 3-4pm block on Monday-Thursday. Check out these links if we are unable to update our schedule:

http://www.kidswb.com/cgi-local/sched.cgi?976584931
http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.toonzone.net/shows/schedules

NOTE:
If our schedule is not updated, then go to the following URL. It will ALWAYS contain the most up-to-date schedule possible:

http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm

THIS WEEK:
Mon 07-23-01: B-BEYOND #35 April Moon
        B-BEYOND #08 Heroes

Tue 07-24-01: B-BEYOND #12 Disappearing Inque
        B-BEYOND #16 Splicers

Wed 07-25-01: B-BEYOND #36 Payback
        B-BEYOND #15 Earth Mover

Thu 07-26-01: B-BEYOND #27 Eyewitness
        B-BEYOND #34 The Eggbaby

NEXT WEEK: (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
Mon 07-30-01: B-BEYOND #??
        B-BEYOND #??

Tue 07-31-01: B-BEYOND #??
        B-BEYOND #??

Wed 08-01-01: B-BEYOND #??
        B-BEYOND #??

Thu 08-02-01: B-BEYOND #??
        B-BEYOND #??
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CANADIAN EPISODE SCHEDULE
(BATMAN on YTV - courtesy of our friends at YTV)

BATMAN BEYOND will be returning to show the remainder of its 52 episode run to YTV shortly!
Keep reading here in future issues for details!

YTV currently has the rights to air all 109 episodes of BTAS. YTV usually airs these episodes in either chronological order, or in the original order they aired on Kids'WB! and FOX. Batman now airs at 3:40am Monday - Friday (well, technically, Tuesday - Saturday). If our schedules are not updated or are inaccurate, please use these links:

http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/worldsfinestpage/epsched.htm
http://www.ytv.com/ytvguide

THIS WEEK: (this week may be slightly inaccurate)
Mon 07-23-01: BTAS #37 Robin's Reckoning (Pt. 2)

Tue 07-24-01: BTAS #47 Birds of a Feather

Wed 07-25-01: BTAS #58 Blind as a Bat

Fri 07-27-01: BTAS #43 Day of the Samurai

NEXT WEEK (this schedule may also be slightly inaccurate)
Mon 07-30-01: BTAS #15 See No Evil

Tue 07-31-01: BTAS #59 The Demon's Quest (Pt. 1)

Wed 08-01-01: BTAS #63 The Demon's Quest (Pt. 2)

Fri 08-03-01: BTAS #64 Read My Lips

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