samsnee
Apr 4, 2008 @ 6:24 am
Looks like we're getting another Batman series, this time on Cartoon Network. Personally, I think the animation looks a little too Dick Sprang-ish for me, but I'll take any new comic series we can get.
Batman: The Brave and The BoldCartoon Network has announced Batman: The Brave and The Bold, a new animated series slated to debut in 2008.
The series will be set in a new continuity. Here's how the show is described:
"Batman isn't going at it alone this time! From Warner Bros. Animation comes the latest interpretation of the classic Batman franchise. Our caped crusader is teamed up with heroes from across the DC Universe, delivering nonstop action and adventure with a touch of comic relief. Blue Beetle, Green Arrow, Aquaman and countless others will get a chance to uphold justice alongside Batman. Though still based in Gotham, Batman will frequently find himself outside city limits, facing situations that are both unfamiliar and exhilarating. With formidable foes around every corner, Batman will still rely on his stealth, resourcefulness and limitless supply of cool gadgets to bring justice home."
The series, consisting of 30-minute episodes, will be produced by James Tucker and Linda M. Steiner -- the team behind Legion of Super Heroes -- and will be executive produced by Sam Register.
Other creators include line producer Amy McKenna, story editor Michael Jelenic and directors Ben Jones, Brandon Vietti and Michael Chang.
clarkins
Apr 4, 2008 @ 8:08 am
I don't like the way they look but I'll certainly give the show a try.
VersesBatman
Apr 4, 2008 @ 9:07 am
At least he has a square jaw this time.
Smeg
Apr 4, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
JAIME! The Blue Beetle comicbook is excellent, I can't wait to see him animated.
Cypher21
Apr 4, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
I hope they get Conroy back for Batman's voice. Even though the art looks a little Sprangish, I think Conroy could make it fit.
samsnee
Apr 4, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
Some more info from one of the directors Ben Jones, via his
websiteOnce again, the Internet has unmasked my latest [secret project]. This one's called Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and I'm one of three directors on it, along with Brandon Vietti and Michael Chang, working for James Tucker, of Legion of Superheroes/Justice League/Batman/the-drawing-at-the-end-of-this-post fame, and Sam Register, executive producer of all kinds of awesome shows that you've spent so much time enjoying like Teen Titans, Transformers Animated, Clone Wars, Ben 10, and so on.
Also, here's a list of characters and guest-stars that will be appearing in the show - self-redacted, because 1/ I'm not allowed to spill these particular beans yet and 2/ it will annoy Colin. Keep checking in from time to time, though, and I will be unredacting names selectively, as I have been doing for my previous Transformers and Legion posts.
I wish I could talk about it, because we have [secret character], [secret character], and [secret character] appearing. How awesome is that? Also Blue Beetle (psst - it's [secret character] in the suit) and the new [secret character]. We also have Green Arrow and [secret character], rocking a decidedly more Silver Age appearance than they have in the comics currently. We even have some really obscure characters popping up, like [secret character], [secret character] and fan favorite [secret character]. Also James has promised that we'll finally see the return of [secret character] to the world of animation, which makes me happy, since I thought he should have been in JLU. Not to mention tons of [secret characters], including one who's never been animated before. And of course, my favorite, [secret character].
Oh, and the guest star voices! Can you believe we got [secret guest star]? We also got [secret guest star], reprising his role as [secret character], and [secret guest star], but not in the role you might expect (he'll actually be playing [secret character]). Plus the return of many familiar faces from shows I've worked on in the past, like [secret guest star], [secret guest star], [secret guest star], [secret guest star], [secret guest star] and [secret guest star]. So you can see why I would be excited!
Anyhow, the show is apparently airing Fridays on Cartoon Network, but not until the Fall. I will probably forget to remind you when it airs, but please, check it out!
Fridays? Why can't they just do Saturday morning?
Lantern7
Apr 5, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
Blue Beetle looks too goofy.
So...what team-ups would you guys want? I had an idea for BTAS that would work here: Batman runs afoul of smugglers in South America and beats them. As he's wrapping up, he sees a blonde guy in a weird red space suit jumping off a bridge. As he grabs the weirdie and shoots a Batline, they're hit by a beam of light. Now Batman finds himself 25 trillion miles from home on the planet Rann, and his new buddy is Adam Strange. Can they survive the crisis du jour before the zeta beam effects wear off?
Twilight Man
Apr 6, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
For those of you "non-geek-a-zoids" reading this thread (which should only be about 5% of you), I will, none-the-less, explain why they are calling it "The Brave and the Bold".
There was a comic book back in the bronze age (mid 70's - early 80's) called "The Brave and the Bold". It ran for 200 issues. From about issue number 50 all the way to 200, this comic had Batman teaming up every issue with another hero, from the A list group (Supergirl, Green Arrow, the Flash) to the D list group (Phantom Stranger, Karate Kid, Mr. Miracle).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_and_the_Bold
jedicaboose
Apr 6, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
Blue Beetle looks too goofy.
Too me he looks less goofy and more mind numbly horrifying. But still, a chance to see Jamie Reyes animated? I'm game.
clarkins
Apr 7, 2008 @ 10:27 am
There was a comic book back in the bronze age (mid 70's - early 80's) called "The Brave and the Bold". It ran for 200 issues. From about issue number 50 all the way to 200, this comic had Batman teaming up every issue with another hero, from the A list group (Supergirl, Green Arrow, the Flash) to the D list group (Phantom Stranger, Karate Kid, Mr. Miracle).
Nice bit of continuity because Bats has KK's DNA on file when he needs it in some series that just ended in the comics.
It's also the name of a hardback graphic novel that came out in Dec with Bats teaming up with others as well as a second volume on the way.
Brave and Bold at Amazon
HoneyBee
Apr 9, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
I'm actually a little bit worried with this new series... I hope I'm wrong.
samsnee
Apr 9, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
Looks like we might have the
the voice of Batman. It doesn't really inspire confidence, and something tells me this will be even more kid-oriented than The Batman.
HoneyBee
Apr 10, 2008 @ 11:46 am
I watched the Zeta Project, it was okay. And the voice actor (wasn't he on Drew Carey show?) was fit enough, and I think he would be nice as Batman.
But I'm worried enough when I saw the pic of Batman smiling. Which definitely a sign of kid-oriented show than The Batman or BTAS.
BaltimoreTom
Apr 10, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Not only was he on The Drew Carey Show; Diedrich Bader was also memorably in Office Space!
Which means that THIS Batman will not be sending the bad guys to any cushy country club prison, or even a psychiatric facility. Oh, no -- the villains who cross Diedrich Bader will be going to federal....
I probably can't quote the movie line without violating board regulations, right?
samsnee
Apr 10, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
But I'm worried enough when I saw the pic of Batman smiling. Which definitely a sign of kid-oriented show than The Batman or BTAS.
With Batman finally being taken seriously again, I wonder what made them think it was wise to head back into SuperFriends territory.
the villains who cross Diedrich Bader will be going to federal....
I probably can't quote the movie line without violating board regulations, right?
Nah, I think you can say 'ass'.
Perfect Xero
Apr 11, 2008 @ 3:08 am
So...what team-ups would you guys want?
Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, Huntress, Black Canary, Oracle, ... Yeah, I pretty much just hate the version of Batman that spends his time using teleporters and hanging out with his super pals on the moon, I greatly prefer the low key Detective/Martial Arts/Noir stories.
Actually the Adam Strange idea sounds really interesting. And, for some reason, I really like Batman and J'onn team ups. And maybe they'll have him team up with GL John, it'd be a nice to see a version of John that might get some respect and not just sit around telling everyone how Hal Jordan is the greatest person ever.
bigmonster
Apr 24, 2008 @ 10:18 am
I still get nostalgic for the 80s version of the Blue Devil, Dan ("I'm Not A Superhero") Cassidy. It was in the Top 5 Titles in the old CBG for two or three years in the 80's, and it's a shame no one remembers it now. EVery so often you see him in a group shot on the JLU series, but I'd like to see what this new series does. I can dream, anyway.
Speaking of obscure characters, Roy Thomas did a post-Crisis series called "Young All Stars" that was full of intriguing characters, all of which vanished after the series ended.
DC has some non-super characters that would be interesting, like Jonah Hex or Sgt. Rock. He'd have to time-travel though.
I don't have high hopes for this show, as I find the Teen Titans series that they did a few years ago unwatchable. But I'll give it a try.
Lantern7
Apr 24, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Would a Batman/Mogo teamup be too much to hope for?
jedicaboose
Apr 24, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
No. Definetly not. Mogo is never too much to hope for.
clarkins
Apr 28, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
Sorry, Mogo is?
jedicaboose
Apr 28, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Mogo is the Green Latern who doesn't like to socialize, and is kinda like the spiritual guide for the Corps, as well as being in charge of guiding the rings.
Also, he is a planet.
Lantern7
Apr 28, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
samsnee
Jul 25, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Here is an extended look at the Comic-con panel. While I'm excited to finally see Blue Beetle and Plastic Man on the screen, the 50's Dick Sprang look still isn't for me.
BaltimoreTom
Jul 25, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
Having not seen this thread for a while -- one of the better comics in the old B&B series WAS a Batman/Sgt. Rock team-up -- Rock was thought to be a crazed old man, chasing someone he thought was Hitler. Batman wound up aiding him, although he was convinced their quarry was Satan himself. The last panel was of an aged man with a white toothbrush mustache fleeing along a deserted road--and the shadows making it look like he had horns. Some of Jim Aparo's better work, I think.
Limbonaut
Jul 27, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
I think the animation looks a little too Dick Sprang-ish for me, but I'll take any new comic series we can get.
So what? I love the Timm's TAS and the new
Dark Knight movie but why can't we have the lighter Batman style from the 40s and 50s too? When I was a kid I liked the Adam West show and the Filmation cartoons as well as the first Tim Burton movie.
Lantern7
Jul 27, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
"Jig's up, Kite-Man" is no way to start a promo.
While the look is hard to get used to, it seems pretty decent to me. They might be going for the young audience, but I think anybody can enjoy it.
Any requests for team-ups? I'm thinking Metal Men, myself.
samsnee
Jul 27, 2008 @ 8:58 pm
I'm not saying every series has to be dark like B:TAS but at the same time, I certainly don't want to be reminded of the time Batman teamed up with Shaggy and Scooby. The team-ups are the only thing I'm looking forward to, as my expectations are not high for anything else.
I admit I saw a lot of good team-ups in JLU, so anything else will be a pleasant surprise. Here's a list of who's expected to appear:
Heroes
Green Arrow
Blue Beetle
Green Lantern Corps
Aquaman
Flash
Red Tornado
Atom
Plastic Man
Huntress
Black Canary
Dr. Fate (rumored)
Fire
Deadman
Jonah Hex
Metamorpho
Bat-hound
Robin
Black Adam
Booster Gold & Skeets
WildCat
Villains
Black Manta
Ocean Master
Gorilla Grodd
Gentleman Ghost
Cavalier (rumored)
Clock King
Kite Man
Zebra-Man
manager
Jul 29, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Wow, I cannot believe I'm getting my wish in a Batman/Fire team-up. She was even in the trailer I saw! (Although her costume looked like her old Green Fury version)
Also, Booster Gold and Skeets!
Looks like a good combination of big names and lesser names in the series....I hope this series is watchable...(Maybe Mogo will appear with the GLC)
Mr. Excitement
Jul 29, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
AICN interviews
James Tucker...I've worked with Bruce Timm for twelve years, and I would never dare to follow his run or even the last Batman run with an uber-serious, dark, psychologically intense kind of Batman. It's been done. And it just worked out that this newest Batman film is the darkest interpretation of Batman I've ever seen in media. The only Batman I'm interested in is the one I grew up with, and the Batman I first learned about, that eventually led me into these darker incarnations, was... very straight and very much a hero. He was very cool, still, but not as psychologically tormented and unapproachable as Batman has become. That was the only Batman I would've been interested in working on because it hadn't been done in a long time, and it hadn't been done well in a long time either.
...and
Diedrich Bader"Two chicks at the same time." I got that the other night when I was driving downtown with my wife. This guy pulls up and goes, "Hey, dude! Two chicks at the same time!" And I said, "Right on." Then I turned to my wife. "It's from the movie. You know."
Limbonaut writes:
I love the Timm's TAS and the new Dark Knight movie but why can't we have the lighter Batman style from the 40s and 50s too? When I was a kid I liked the Adam West show and the Filmation cartoons as well as the first Tim Burton movie.
I agree with this. I feel like I can afford to be generous: my preference for dark, noirish Batman stories is currently being vindicated in spectacular fashion, so a light, goofy Batman series for small kids isn't the threat it used to be. The situation has changed sharply from a decade ago, when
Batman & Robin was stinking out theaters nationwide and Dini, Timm & co. were the only people flying the flag for watchable Batman.
Limbonaut
Jul 30, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
I think the best looking Batman ever, live action or handdrawn was
Neal Adams' version. Unfortunately, it's one
completely impossible to animate!
Kris_AB
Jul 31, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
Why is that completely impossible to animate ? I mean they could get the gist of it down, but with some loss of detail in many of the far away and action scenes, just save the muscular details and whatnot for close-ups, stand-stills, and the quieter talky scenes.
I thought you were gonna link to a lavishly painted pose of Batman...not that a painted look is impossible to animate, but I imagine more difficult.
Limbonaut
Aug 2, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
That's my point. You can't animate it. You can only do stills or limited movement. If you took away the realistic detail to more easily animate it wouldn't look like Neal Adams anymore!
Kris_AB
Aug 3, 2008 @ 10:21 am
Ah okay, I dunno what I as thinking. Yeah, it wouldn't be exactly like his drawings anymore if they compromised. I guess they could take inspiration from his work if they were ever gonna do a series in that style, but unless it was a big budget animated film that a lot of time was spent on, we'll never get something looking that detailed for animated Batman.
bigmonster
Aug 8, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
I am really looking forward to the Jonah Hex episode. I'd also like to see Teen Titans, Blue Devil (the first version from the 80s), Superboy (I recall an old B&B issue that had Batman going back in time and working with an impulsive and undisciplined SUperboy), Huntress, the Unknown Soldier, or Firestorm.
Twilight Man
Aug 25, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Superboy (I recall an old B&B issue that had Batman going back in time and working with an impulsive and undisciplined Superboy)
I've got that issue. I was just reading it about a week ago.
BTW, Superboy accidently travels to the present, so Batman works with him on a case.
"Don't use your heat-vision on the gun itself. It might cause the bullets in the gun to explode. Use your heat-vision to melt the bullets after they come out of the gun instead. Don't worry. You're fast enough to do that."
Ebongreen
Aug 26, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
"Don't use your heat-vision on the gun itself. It might cause the bullets in the gun to explode. Use your heat-vision to melt the bullets after they come out of the gun instead. Don't worry. You're fast enough to do that."
Because small flying globs of spatter-prone 2500ºF steel and lead are an
immense improvement over being fast enough and strong enough to stop an exploding gun from injuring anyone, to give the hand(s) that hold the gun first-degree burns, or to separate the gun from the user before firing. [/sarcasm]
Worst. Advice. EVAR, B-man.
Lantern7
Nov 14, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Heads up....B&tB preimeres tonight, starting with Batman teaming with Blue Beetle, just in time for the
cancellation of BB's title. I got to read the second trade paperback, and I know it'll be a hard loss for many fans to take.
Edge
Nov 14, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
For Canadians, it's going to be premiering at 5:40pm today on Teletoon. They're showing Batman vs. Dracula from 4:00 to 5:40, then The Brave & The Bold until 6:10.
In case you miss it, it's repeating on Sunday. 9:00 to 9:30am, then again from 12:30 to 1pm. Hey, record all of 'em if you've got the PVR/tape space. Sometimes they mess up and air an episode ahead on the repeats.
I might check out Batman vs. Dracula. I haven't seen more than a few seconds of The Batman. Wasn't Batman vs. Dracula the first thing put out for that series ?
I wasn't gonna tune in to this 'cause I'm a little superhero'd out lately and the whole Timmverse/DCAU franchise was perfect, but for Will Friedle and John Dimaggio, plus the unique animation style ? I'll check it out.
Liked the Adam West Batman well enough when I saw it as a kid, but cheese/camp isn't how I like to view the character, so this'll just be a fun diversion if it's good, probably not something I'm glued to and record all the time.
Lantern7
Nov 14, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
Avoid Batman Vs. Dracula at all costs. It sucked so hard, it was like a black hole unto itself.
As for "Rise Of The Blue Beetle"? Well, the show's got potential, I'll say that much. This Batman is a little quippier than the others, and him and Green Arrow arguing while in a Clock King deathtrap screamed "married couple" to me. I'm also worried Jamie came off as too big a putz to the hardcore BB fans out there. Then again, some of the comedic bits made me laugh, especially with Jamie trying to rally the squishy critters against Kanjar Ro.
Twilight Man
Nov 14, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
Avoid Batman Vs. Dracula at all costs.
I bought that movie when it first came out on DVD
(the same day as Batman Begins did as well as Batman (1943) and Batman and Robin (1949)).
So since I was buying all of those Batman titles, I figured I would buy that DVD as well.
I watched it once, and never looked back.
him and Green Arrow arguing while in a Clock King deathtrap screamed "married couple" to me
I liked that we got a "twofer" in the first episode, especially since Green Arrow was one of them.
Green Arrow and Batman are great pals in the comics, and the other one is the only person that each one will honestly open up and talk to about their lives.
I hope we get to see Green Arrow again in a "full" episode next time.
Batman teaming with Blue Beetle, just in time for the cancellation of BB's title
Too bad, BB.
I always route for the D-list heroes to prove us wrong and have an ongoing comic series that lasts a long time.
At least he still can be seen every month in the Teen Titan comic, wisecracking alongside Robin and Wonder Girl.
(Kinda like how Ted Kord would wisecrack with Booster Gold in the Justice League alongside Batman and Martian Manhunter).
Maybe that's the best place for a character like him after all.
Next week - Batman has to take down Gorilla Grood with help from................Plastic Man??????
equinoxx
Nov 15, 2008 @ 4:13 am
I'm also worried Jamie came off as too big a putz
It seemed like Friedle was basically playing him as Ron Stoppable with super-powers, and about the only explanation I can come up with is that the direction he was given was, "we want to go 180 degrees from Terry McGinnis."
Of course, I'm a longtime Ted Kord fan, and never really got into the new Beetle. Also, I grew up reading a lot of Sprang-era reprints, so, on the whole, I was quite entertained.
And Bader won me over with just three words: "Was I unclear?"
Ebongreen
Nov 15, 2008 @ 10:14 am
I liked it. It was easy, humorous, relatively straightforward, occasionally clever, and went to occasional dark places - like alluding to Blue Beetle #1 being dead and not "retired". It's got promise...
... even if there was a little too much Ron Stoppable involved. ;-)
Limbonaut
Nov 15, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Kevin Conroy will always be the best Batman voice but I liked Dietrich Baker's take. He's kind of like the "Don Draper" of superheroes!
Cypher21
Nov 15, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
It turned out better than what I thought. It had a campy take to it, the Clock King in general, but I have to admit it worked. Bader sounded great as Batman, and I think ranking him based on this, he would be #2 in the voice department behind Conroy who will always be the #1 voice of Batman. Friedel was good, but like everyone else said, it was as if Ron Stoppable grew up and became the new Blue Beetle. I did like the crack about the original dying, which freaked him out as it never occured to him about a superhero dying. I will say that the inner monologue wasn't working for me for Batman, it was odd. The line though "Was I unclear?" could have been taking in two ways for me, as being pissed that Jamie took off or that he was confused about just that in general.
Dahak
Nov 15, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
I thought it was good if more kiddy than I like (of course it's for kids though). While I prefer Ted Kord I also like Jamie. First it's nice to have a new kid. Second how many super genius billionaires does the Justice League (or comics in general) need?
As far as the episode I was amused and interested and will watch it again.
The Mad Maple
Nov 16, 2008 @ 3:05 am
For Canadians, it's going to be premiering at 5:40pm today on Teletoon. They're showing Batman vs. Dracula from 4:00 to 5:40, then The Brave & The Bold until 6:10.
And naturally, I read this 4 am Monday morning.....
Ah, well. At least I can catch the Plastic Man episode next week.
BaltimoreTom
Nov 16, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
At least you didn't accidentally catch any of The Batman vs. Dracula that way...
Tossing this out there...I've recorded two of CN's Action Flicks so far --New Frontier and Superman Doomsday (which proved I should have paid more attention to board postings, I know). I normally record these things for my kids to watch when they visit on weekends. I've heard that Return of the Joker -- next week's movie --has a nastier edit than was shown on HBO or the like. Can anyone confirm this, since I've already dumped Doomsday? (Not really wanting to explain the red sun room sequence to my 7-year-old, you know.)
SilverShadow
Nov 16, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
There are two verions of RoTJ. A quick way to tell which is which is a scene with Bruce practicing his batarang toss. If it just goes from his hand and back, it's the edited. If it hits a Two Face dummy, it's the uncut version.
I will warn that even the edited version is pretty dark. IMHO you should watch it yourself before you show it to your kids.
roosterboy
Nov 17, 2008 @ 12:50 am
Loved this new show. Hit just the right note for me. I'm actually quite sick by now of dark, moody Batman and I've been craving a more fun Bats.
The opening credits rock! The theme music was awesome. Love the glimpses of other characters we get and I hope to see them all. I saw the Demon & B'wana Beast, Doctor Fate & Deadman, Fire & Red Tornado, Guy Gardner & Plastic Man, Bronze Tiger & Blue Beetle, Jonah Hex & Kamandi.
And all the names of other characters? There is so much potential here for guest stars. For some reason I got especially excited to see Gentleman Ghost among the names. Others I saw: Metamorpho, Despero, Sinestro, Speedy, Royal Flush Gang, Kilowog, Elongated Man and G'nort!
I didn't much care for The Batman but I'm totally on board for this series.
reinoe
Nov 17, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
The only Batman that I've been able to actually care about was the "darker and edgier" version by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. It got reinforced with the most recent film releases. So when I saw the retro look and the joke cracking Batman I had my doubts. As long as Joel Schumaker isn't allowed anywhere near the series then Batman will do fine. Everybody else is able to do the hero justice. And of course there was this exchange...
Blue Beetle: It's better to die on your face than live on your knees!
Batman: They don't have knees kid. Now wrap it up.
I'm sold.
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