I Am Vengeance! I Am the Night! I Am... Batman: The Animated Series

[wei yau]

(Title of this thread has been borrowed from my favorite TV forum TWOP (http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=2941331) )

Did I ever mention I have a sister? Did I further mention that she is the bestest sister in the whole wide world...EVER!!!!?!?!?

I got home to find a package from Amazon sitting on my doorstep. What's in there? The package is addressed to my daughter. I go to walk the dog, while my wife and daughter open the package. As soon as my daughter sees the contents, she says "Wow." in a reverent, hushed tone.

My sister, remember, the bestest sister in the whole wide world EVER, sent me:

Batman:The Animated Series Vol. 1 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00023E894/ref=pd_sim_dv_4/102-3116180-4140911?v=glance&s=dvd) and Batman:The Animated Series Vol. 2 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002ZMHWM/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/102-3116180-4140911?v=glance&s=dvd&st=*)

Each DVD contains 28 episodes from the best non-comic book representation of the Dark Knight ever produced. This series captured the essence of Batman and his universe, while introducing new and exciting elements to a well-known legend.

Two of my favorite episodes ever are contained in these DVDs. The first is "Heart of Ice", a landmark episode re-introducing Mr. Freeze. The second is "Almost Got 'Im", a light-hearted episode featuring Batman's Rogues Gallery discussing their encounters with the Dark Knight. Both have creators' commentary.

I almost called in sick to work today just to watch these things.

I am the happiest fanboy in Gotham today.

:woohoo: :slide: :yahoo: :bliss: :bbed: :biglaugh: :lol:

[livius drusus]

Oh man what a huge, huge score! I say book a vacation day on Monday and spend the whole weekend watching every episode and every extra.

What was the occasion, by the way?

[wei yau]

What was the occasion, by the way?

A holiday gift delayed by the Release Date of Volume 2.

Of course, I think she spent too much. Of course, I think my holiday gift pales in comparison. Of course, I have to make it up to her with an extra special gift for her birthday.

:bat: :batman: :bat:

[livius drusus]

You were desperately hoping for someone to give you those DVDs as a present too, if I recall from several posts here. I might have to get them for myself just so we can babble about the coolness. :yup:

[wei yau]

Yes, it was one of my holiday wishes. Turns out my sister knew what to get because she spoke with my wife. My wife could have hogged the glory for herself by getting me this, but she chose to share it with my sister.

I'm fortunate beyond the price of rubies, I think.

As for B:TAS, I do plan on recapping and discussing some (all?) episodes here. There may not be many Bat-fans here, but I've no problem with listening to myself talk.

[viscousmemories]

I love what I've seen of that show. That, the A-Team and Martin were the only shows we watched religiously every day when I was in jail. :D Congrats on the score, eldar.

[wei yau]

Batman is one of the coolest comic book characters ever developed. Through decades of storytelling, Batman has become the archetype for the determined vigilante superhero. And through all of his various incarnations from detective, to avenger, to camp clown and to obsessive headcase...The Animated Series managed to capture the essence of the character.

One of the first things one notices about the series is the noir-ish aspect in the art design. This is no accident as it harkens to the pulp origins of the original comic book character and places the series in a world that is both familiar and excitingly new. The art design is consistent and well represented throughout the series. Almost all of the civilian men wear hats, the police have air blimps instead of helicopters, computers all have monochrome screens, televisions are black & white...the list is endless

However, this does not take away at all from Batman's wonderful toys. His crime fighting gear is futuristic even when considered in the context of present day technology. But, even then, his gear is highly stylized with an art deco motif. This allows even the most fantastic of items fit seamlessly into a world that resembles our own yesteryear.

This artistic direction was so powerful, so recognizable and so loved that it would spawn an entire line of DC comics. Several other heroes, not just Batman, would get the "animated" treatment. Clean lines, simple design and a focused color palette would be used in series dedicated to the animated series of Batman and Superman. Eventually, this would expand to the Justice League, who would get an animated series after an "animated" style comic.

The art direction would get its greatest comic book honor, when this artistic treatment would be used for the Justice Society. The first and greatest team of superheroes in the DC Universe would be rendered in a style reminiscent of the Golden Age of comics.

Sound play a role in establishing this atmosphere. Guns sound like guns when fired. Anyone who has watched the GI Joe cartoon know how disconcerting it was for every weapon to sound like a Star Wars laser blaster. Not in this Gotham City, however. Although gunplay is never a major factor in the series, whenever it is heard it is the flat crack of a bullet and not the high-pitched whine of an energy weapon. Police blimps patrol the sky with low whirrs emanating from their propellors. Cars growl with beastial engines.

The characters are also very familiar. Batman is an already established hero when the series debuts. There's no need to retell his origin story, though it will be featured throughout the series. Alfred is his faithful manservant. Gordon is police commissioner and able ally. Everything we know about the Batman and his universe is in the series.

Yet for everything that is old, there was plenty of new ideas introduced. Batman's Rogues Gallery benefitted most from new ideas. Some villains were re-imagined with incredible results, as the aforementioned Mr. Freeze. Others were re-introduced and brought back to their core roots, as in the case with the Joker. While some villains were treated as already established, some got the benefit of having their origins told in the series. Two-Face's origin is one such example.

This is the setting and introduction to Batman: The Animated Series. There's much more information to be had out there in the Web. This series is well-loved and has a dedicated following of fans. The first two volumes of the series take place in the first "arc". Subsequent arcs in the series would introduce new characters, new plot elements and even further re-imaginings of the Batman universe. But, it is this first arc that grabbed everyone's attention. It is this first arc the boldly stated "This is how Batman was meant to be."

[wei yau]

On a personal note, I wanted to relate one of my fondest memories of this series.

I was in my early to mid-twenties at the time. Still living at home with my parents. Working instead of completing my college education, a profound source of disappointment for my parents. And I'm taping every episode of this series.

My parents always thought my comic book hobby was childish. They would often criticize the amount of money I spent on the hobby, the amount of space my collection would take and how it was not something a proper adult should do.

And then one day, at work I get a call from my mom. It turns out that the VHS did not come on when Batman was on. She called me so that I could walk her through the steps necessary to begin recording the episode for me.

Perhaps I'm overstating the significance of this, but I was very moved by her call. Then, as now, I knew that my parents always hoped more for me than I had become. Though they love me deeply, I know that I've given them little to be proud of...yet, here she is ...calling me to tape some kid's show in the middle of the afternoon. A cartoon based on a comic book charcter that is important to her son, who clearly needs to sort his priorities and find his way in life.

I won't say that I've found my way in life, though I'm closer now than I was then. But, I will say that on that day I realized I did not give them enough credit as loving parents.

[livius drusus]

That's a lovely story, eldar. Thank you for sharing it. My dad refused to get a VCR when I was living with them because he was convinced I would only tape MTV videos on account of it being called a Video Cassette Recorder. Ah, the humanity...

I totally agree with your review of the series, particularly the stylized 30s/40s feel of it. If Dashiell Hammett had ever written a comic or designed a cartoon, it would totally have been Batman.

Where does the B:TAS movie fit into things? Was it the series premiere or something they made afterwards to flush in the story?

[wei yau]

That's a lovely story, eldar. Thank you for sharing it. My dad refused to get a VCR when I was living with them because he was convinced I would only tape MTV videos on account of it being called a Video Cassette Recorder. Ah, the humanity...

My dad got pissed at me for using the VCR to record "The Hunger". Thought I did it simply for the soft-core porn in the film. He was right.

Where does the B:TAS movie fit into things? Was it the series premiere or something they made afterwards to flush in the story?

Are you referring to "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000399WH/102-3116180-4140911?v=glance) ?

[livius drusus]

My dad got pissed at me for using the VCR to record "The Hunger". Thought I did it simply for the soft-core porn in the film. He was right.

Well c'mon... We're talking Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve here. If them getting it on isn't art I don't know what is.

Are you referring to "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000399WH/102-3116180-4140911?v=glance) ?

That is the droid I'm looking for. Is it not according to Hoyle B:TAS? Did I make a terrible faux pas by bringing it in to this discussion?

[wei yau]

That is the droid I'm looking for. Is it not according to Hoyle B:TAS? Did I make a terrible faux pas by bringing it in to this discussion?

No faux pas. That's genuine B:TAS. And even if it were a faux pas, I'd never point it out...just as you don't point out my horrible typos, grammar errors and transposed words littering my posts.

"Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" is the first of several B:TAS movies, which is why I requested clarification. There have also been "Batman: Subzero" and "Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman". As you might have guessed, I loved "Subzero" as it features Mr. Freeze. I've not seen "Batwoman", however.

As for "Mask of the Phantasm", it ws the first movie and also the only theatrical release of B:TAS. It was released after the series had already started and was originally slated to be a multi-part story arc or direct-to-video release.

It does re-tell the Batman origin, so it could be seen as an introduction to the character. It had a bit more death and violence than what was normally depicted in the series. The story itself wasn't all too innovative, although the comparison between Bruce and Andrea was a nice touch. Both had lost their parents to crime. Both chose to be vigilantes. Only one was willing to kill. I was a bit bothered by the inclusion of Joker in Andrea's storyline. It was done well, but I had still had a residual bad taste in my mouth after Tim Burton's "Batman". The change to incorporate the Joker in Batman's origin was unnecessary and just plain stupid, in my opinion.

[Ymir's blood]

My dad got pissed at me for using the VCR to record "The Hunger". Thought I did it simply for the soft-core porn in the film. He was right.

Well c'mon... We're talking Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve here. If them getting it on isn't art I don't know what is.
:lecher: (though the cheezy fake blood sort of ruined it for me. Not that there was blood, but that it was cheezy and fake looking.)

The rest of the movie is pretty cool too.

[Ymir's blood]

I noticed the Batman:TAA collections in my Amazon recomendations but haven't checked them out yet.

The show is one of my all time favorites. It totally blew me away when it first started airing and never disappointed. The way they did Mr. Freeze was perfect. "feel the icy hand of death..."

It's a shame all the DC shows it spawned weren't as good.

[wei yau]

It's a shame all the DC shows it spawned weren't as good.

"The Adventures of Batman & Robin" series was a continuation of B:TAS. "The New Batman Adventures" (or "Batman: Gotham Knights") featured major changes to the supporting case, especially with the Robin character. I thought "Batman Beyond" had some very interesting ideas, but in the end there wasn't enough to keep my interest in the series.

I did not watch "Superman: The Animated Series", though from what I understand it never reached the same lofty heights as B:TAS. I enjoy "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" quite a bit, I think they are doing some good work...although I feel that sometimes they overreach.

I don't know if "Teen Titans" qualifies as a direct spawn from B:TAS. Though, without the success of B:TAS, there may well have been no "Teen Titans". However, the "Teen Titans" is more influenced by anime, than B:TAS.

[Ymir's blood]

I did not watch "Superman: The Animated Series", though from what I understand it never reached the same lofty heights as B:TAS.
It had its good points. While of course Superman shouldn't be done in the same dark vein as Batman, it lacked any real atmosphere to me. I suppose because my ideas of Superman is rooted in the way powerful Silver Age character. Everything after that was just a pale imitation.

I enjoy "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" quite a bit, I think they are doing some good work...although I feel that sometimes they overreach.
I really enjoyed JL and for the most part like 'Unlimited.' The latter has suffered from some problems though: too many characters, too much conspiracy stuff and a lack of focus on heroism, IMO.

I don't know if "Teen Titans" qualifies as a direct spawn from B:TAS. Though, without the success of B:TAS, there may well have been no "Teen Titans". However, the "Teen Titans" is more influenced by anime, than B:TAS.I'm a fan of anime and never liked the comics Teen Titans books. I like the show, except that they seem to concentrate on two plot ideas. The first is big egomanical manipulator villain screws with the Titans. The other is villain with reality altering powers screws with the Titans. It would be nice to see more stories featuring investigation and/or fight scenes.

[beyelzu]

has anyone seen the pile that they are passing off as a batman cartoon right now.

the batman: tas got everything right, I love that fucking show, eldar you are a lucky man with a kickass family.

[wei yau]

has anyone seen the pile that they are passing off as a batman cartoon right now.

I watched one or two episodes. Hated the cartoon, hated the re-invention of Bane and Joker.

I haven't watched any episodes since. I'm glad I haven't because of this bit of news (http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3118538&view=findpost&p=2368618) :

"This incarnation of Batman is really, reeeeeeeally awful! I wanted to like it. I really did. But then Mr. Freeze was a diamont thief. No sick wife, no cold, sad heart. A diamond thief."

I don't even want to know how they re-designed the character, artwise.

:mrfreeze:

[wei yau]

I don't even want to know how they re-designed the character, artwise.



oh. crap. (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0408/20/mrfreezeth.jpg)

Damn my curiosity. Damn my eyes.

[livius drusus]

Ewwwwww! :panics:

[Lyzzee]

That cartoon is a classic. It's still one of my favorites.

The new one is just plain crap. The art is horrible for Batman. It's interesting, but doesn't fit Batman. They didn't capture the personalities of the characters at all. Blah. I think I'll continue to skip it.

[livius drusus]

Hey cool! I love it when new members dive right in. Awesome avatar, too. :thumbup:

Welcome to FF, Lyzzee. :welcome2:

[beyelzu]

That cartoon is a classic. It's still one of my favorites.

The new one is just plain crap. The art is horrible for Batman. It's interesting, but doesn't fit Batman. They didn't capture the personalities of the characters at all. Blah. I think I'll continue to skip it. I agree with your sentiments.


welcome to ff.

[wei yau]

That cartoon is a classic. It's still one of my favorites.

The new one is just plain crap. The art is horrible for Batman. It's interesting, but doesn't fit Batman. They didn't capture the personalities of the characters at all. Blah. I think I'll continue to skip it.

You ain't never lied.

Welcome to the FF! I'll second liv's kudos on your avatar, is that a Dark Elf?

[Lyzzee]

That cartoon is a classic. It's still one of my favorites.

The new one is just plain crap. The art is horrible for Batman. It's interesting, but doesn't fit Batman. They didn't capture the personalities of the characters at all. Blah. I think I'll continue to skip it.

You ain't never lied.

Welcome to the FF! I'll second liv's kudos on your avatar, is that a Dark Elf?

Yes, it is. R.A Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden. Gah, I love his books and the character.