34 replies to this topic

[magicdog]

According to news in World's Finest, the newest Batman series has been announced:

The next Batman animated series, debuting in 2013, is titled Beware the Batman. According to [Sam]Register, the CGI animated series will spotlight a classic-looking Batman teaming up with a gun-toting Alfred Pennyworth and a female ninja sidekick. Beware the Batman is executive-produced by Glen Murakami, and will explore the mythology’s more obscure villains, such as Professor Pyg, but also won't shy away from featuring some of the more well-known Batman foes.

In the series, Batman will team up with a younger female sidekick named Katana. During the keynote, Register added that Katana will fill the sidekick role, but won't be a replacement for Robin.

An image of the show is here.


Firstly, I'm not a fan of CGI, as shows incorporating this tend to be a mixed bag for me visually.

I don't mind that TPTB are looking to get past the Joker and the other commonly seen members of Batman's rogues gallery, but I find it odd that they choose Katana (from the Outsiders) to be his sidekick. Why not have the rest of the Outsiders? Or perhaps a series featuring other members of the Bat Family (like Nightwing, Batgirl or Huntress)?

I'm also curious if any Bat embargoes will be in effect due to the current show Young Justice, which includes both Batman & Robin.

[Scorpiosrule]

An image of the show is here.

Oh YUCK.

Why not have the rest of the Outsiders? Or perhaps a series featuring other members of the Bat Family (like Nightwing, Batgirl or Huntress)?

For reals. And though it pains me to say this, because I love Murakami's work from JL/JLU, not to mention I LOVE Bats, but this looks...horrid...I HATE CGI and probably won't be watching.

[TheHappyEmo]

I'm sure it will be fine and the CGI will stop bugging due to quality storylines.

[M Intensity]

I always give these new Batman shows a chance. Honestly the only one I didn't like was The Batman and even that one by the time Season Four (the one that introduced Robin) came around it was quite enjoyable (although I really cannot watch the first three seasons). I only wish that since this show won't start until 2013 that Batman: The Brave and the Bold would have received at least another season in addition to the current one to tide us over until this one begins (of course that may be due to production delays since James Tucker was originally slated to produce this show as well until CN rejected his concept).

[magicdog]

Oh YUCK.

To be fair, the link of the pic was concept art so the final versions will likely be improved.

James Tucker was originally slated to produce this show as well until CN rejected his concept

"Gotham Knights". The suits thought it was "too dark".

For concept art of that proposed pitch, click here. It features Batman, Dick Grayson as Nightwing, Damian Wayne as Robin, as well as Catwoman and Batgirl (possibly Cassandra Cain but I'm not sure). by the look of it, I definitely would have watched this show, dark or otherwise.

the CGI will stop bugging due to quality storylines.

Let's hope so!

[Tableau]

For concept art of that proposed pitch, click here. It features Batman, Dick Grayson as Nightwing, Damian Wayne as Robin, as well as Catwoman and Batgirl (possibly Cassandra Cain but I'm not sure). by the look of it, I definitely would have watched this show, dark or otherwise.

OMG that looks so much better. I love Bat family stuff. Robin, Nightwing, sometimes Batgirl...

[Scorpiosrule]

that looks so much better.

It does, it does...but my Timmverse-biased heart is still cringing. And it's not like Bruce Timm and company did the same type of animation for the direct to home DVDS...

But I have issues, major issues with an Alfred who's gun-toting. Unless they're rebooting how Bruce lost his parents and how Batman doesn't like guns?

I know, I know, I'm jumping ahead, but like, M Intensity, I, too didn't watch The Batman, because ONE: No Conroy; TWO--the animation made him look like Jackie Chan as Batman...and that version of Joker gave me nightmares, and not in a good way...looked like some Reggae mashup.

[M Intensity]

I know, I know, I'm jumping ahead, but like, M Intensity, I, too didn't watch The Batman, because ONE: No Conroy; TWO--the animation made him look like Jackie Chan as Batman...and that version of Joker gave me nightmares, and not in a good way...looked like some Reggae mashup.

Actually I said I gave all the shows a chance to win me over including The Batman. Only I stopped watching The Batman after three episodes because I didn't enjoy it. Although I did start watching Season 4 when I learned Alan Burnett took over as story editor and loved that season. The parts of season five I saw was okay but I can't watch the first three seasons.

I refuse to judge any of these shows before they air. Besides you can't really judge the concept art until you see them in motion since they are made to be animated rather than be static pictures.

[magicdog]

But I have issues, major issues with an Alfred who's gun-toting. Unless they're rebooting how Bruce lost his parents and how Batman doesn't like guns?

There's actually precedence for an armed Alfred. Some versions of him in the mainline universe had him as a former member of the military and having used shotguns for protection. Of course this Alfred will likely use pistols; some seem to compare him to Watson to Bruce's [costumed] Sherlock.

Batman himself used to use guns way back in the beginning of his comic career, but they eventually were dropped.

[The Mad Maple]

Wow. There are just so damn many things wrong with this show. First off, bringing in Katana wihout the Outsiders just doesn't make sense. I mean, if they need a female sidekick, why not Batgirl? Or Carrie Kelly?

Second, I don't know if I can get behind a "gun-toting Alfred". Fine, I get that he's got a background in the British Special Forces, but something about him standing back-to-back with Batman, pistols blazing, just seems wrong. (Not only because Batman should have an aversion to guns, but because it would seriously compromise Batman's secret identity, don't you think?)

Third, the art just looks nasty. I understand that it's just test artwork, and I'm hoping it improves before it goes to series, but I'm not very optimistic.

And yet, I'll probably watch every episode. At least for the first season. (The Batman didn't completely lose me 'til they brought in Batgirl before they brought in Robin. I started watching again after they introduced Robin, but there's still at least a full season's worth of episodes I can't bring myself to watch.)

[reinoe]

An image of the show is here.

The characters up close look terrible but the background looks much better.

"Gotham Knights". The suits thought it was "too dark".

For concept art of that proposed pitch, click here.

It's interesting that the suits are saying that the pitch for Gotham Knights is too dark when the "lighter and softer" Brave and the bold series is beng treated like crap by the executives.

I'm agreeing with the comments about how there going to be a gun totting Alfred. Even with his training in the special forces it doesn't make sense that Batman would be cool with it.

[magicdog]

It's interesting that the suits are saying that the pitch for Gotham Knights is too dark when the "lighter and softer" Brave and the bold series is beng treated like crap by the executives.

True; suits always claim they like one thing then criticize the messenger for bringing it to them!

From what I had heard, "Gotham Knights" was supposed to go into "No Man's Land" comic territory (or something akin to it) for its storylines. I had never read that comic, but from the summaries I found, it definitely would have been darker than any Batman TV series.

[Scorpiosrule]

Besides you can't really judge the concept art until you see them in motion since they are made to be animated rather than be static pictures.

Call me stubborn, anal, whatever, but yes, yes I can and do judge if I don't like the look of it. It's why I didn't watch The Batman. Hated the look and when I happened to actually see one, changed the channel right away.

Now you have Bruce Timm's B:TAS and S:TAS, JL, JLU--saw still pictures beforehand and LOVED it. Even for BB.

But this? Looks hideous. And there's this:

I don't know if I can get behind a "gun-toting Alfred". Fine, I get that he's got a background in the British Special Forces, but something about him standing back-to-back with Batman, pistols blazing, just seems wrong.

I just can't.

[caffinated]

To be honest, I'm more excited over Faust's Super Best Friends than I am for this. Those character designs are atrocious.

[M Intensity]

Call me stubborn, anal, whatever, but yes, yes I can and do judge if I don't like the look of it. It's why I didn't watch The Batman. Hated the look and when I happened to actually see one, changed the channel right away.

Now you have Bruce Timm's B:TAS and S:TAS, JL, JLU--saw still pictures beforehand and LOVED it. Even for BB.

I've seen this before every DC series in the last twenty years, including B:TAS (remember before B:TAS the trend in Action Adventure cartoon character designs was more toward "hyper realistic" designs). People see the initial designs, complain about how the show is going to suck then when the actual show stars airing people wind up liking it. I've seen it with Batman Beyond, I've seen it with Teen Titans, I've seen it with B:TBATB (okay The Batman took a critical drubbing but it's not necessarily because of the designs alone, also I left out Superman and Justice League because by that time people trusted Bruce Timm's instincts although the critical response to JL's first season wasn't great).

Ultimately it's how the show is executed as far as story, animation, and characters. You can't judge the quality of a show before anyone actually seen the show.

[TheHappyEmo]

I can get behind a gun-toting Alfred. It's kind of cool idea to have a otherwise refined gentleman running around fucking the bad guy's shit up.
I would also have him be an uber-hacker who slices through firewalls like butter.
"Here, Master Bruce, allow me...(does impossible hacker-thing).
Alfred's got a lot of freetime with his employer normally running around all night dressed in a fright costume, sleeping all day and probably cruising BDSM websites on his IBatphone...why wouldn't he pick up a skill while waiting for Bats to come back and get bandaged up again?

Edited by TheHappyEmo, Oct 7, 2011 @ 8:05 PM.

[stekkin]

Was that Professor Pyg in the preview? I like it! Gun-toting Alfred...not so much. :D

Edited by stekkin, Oct 8, 2011 @ 9:48 AM.

[TheHappyEmo]

Trust me, Alfred laying down cover fire is going to make you go "Haha.....awesome!"
Picture this: The Joker is whipping out those razor-sharp playing cards of his. Bruce has disappeared for a bit to get into the batsuit. Joker's about to hurt somebody bad and has a card out, ready to throw.
"Blam!" Card is blasted out of his hand. Alfred's that good of a shot. He's actually out of sight, with sniper rifle.
Joker pulls out another card. "Blam!" Joker goes for his acid squirting joke flower. "Blam!" Epic Joker Fail.
No, I actually don't work for this show.
Bruce finally is in his Batsuit, pops out of nowhere, punches Joker in the face.
I think the showrunners have planned this exact kind of awesome.

Edited by TheHappyEmo, Oct 8, 2011 @ 1:09 PM.

[Scorpiosrule]

I've seen this before every DC series in the last twenty years, including B:TAS (remember before B:TAS the trend in Action Adventure cartoon character designs was more toward "hyper realistic" designs). People see the initial designs, complain about how the show is going to suck then when the actual show stars airing people wind up liking it. I've seen it with Batman Beyond,

Like I said--when I saw the stills/concept for B:TAS, S:TAS, BB, JL, JLU, I loved them and couldn't wait for them to premiere--same with Young Justice.

But with The Batman and now this new show? No thanks. Not to mention the concept of the show, story-wise. I won't be watching.

[OmegaX123]

The preview image thing, and the idea of Alfred actually going on patrol with Batman (guns I can buy, kind of, given his past, but he's Bruce Wayne's butler, wouldn't him running with the Bat be a big clue to the baddies? And wouldn't him using guns around Bruce kind of be... I don't know, tasteless, considering Thomas and Martha's deaths?), kind of turn me off, but I always give superhero shows/movies a chance, especially when Batman, Robin, Superman, Green Lantern, the X-Men, or Raven is involved, so I'll be checking it out.

[stekkin]

Where's Robin? Isn't he supposed to do the sidekick thing, not Alfred? I have a bad feeling about this...

[TheHappyEmo]

Alfred probably will have a Green Hornet-esque disguise that's good enough for people in-universe to not recognize him. His gun-toting will probably be a point of contention with Bruce and frequent arguments will ensue about it, despite its effectiveness.

[magicdog]

Bumping this up with some new info:

During an interview with Kurtwood Smith ('Red Foreman', on "That 70s Show") we learn that he will be the voice of James Gordon. In this series, it will be earlier in Batman's crimefighting career, so Gordon is a Lieutenant not Commissioner.

The staff has only recently begun recording dialogue and they're only two eps in so far:

"We just started. We've only recorded two, before Christmas. I like the general thrust of the show. It's early in the Batman story. Commissioner Gordon isn't even Commissioner yet, he's just Lieutenant Gordon. He doesn't trust Batman, even though they kind of end up helping each other out on an early case. Batman, in a lot of ways, is learning his way, and the relationship between he and Alfred is developing. It's fun and it's kind of straight in that regard, as opposed to being campy. I think it's going to be good, but it won't be out for at least a year or so."

Of course this does beg the question if this means Robin would be eventually introduced or not, or if the other Outsiders will join with Katana and Bats.

[Trini Girl]

Official description and teaser poster.

Not liking the monochromatic-ness; but it's just a teaser.

[magicdog]

Teaser reel released.

They about had me - but I'm still not fond of the way Batman looked.

[suntzu]

I'm really looking forward to this. Gun-toting Alfred sounds cool; it's about time he stood up for himself. Most of the time (in the comics, movies, etc.) it seems like he can't defend himself against anything stronger than Batman's dirty laundry. Maybe this new Alfred knows kung-fu. Please tell me he knows kung-fu! :D

[Trini Girl]

ComicCon report: They want to be different. Apparently, this means not using any of the familiar villains.

[stekkin]

"There's no Joker, Penguin, or Riddler..." O.K., now I'm pissed. Humpty Dumpty? Magpie? Are you kidding me??? Bats could whup most of these clowns without even getting out of the Batmobile. These are strictly bargain-basement baddies who wouldn't make it past the cold open of "Batman: the Brave and the Bold". And they're going to carry half the show? I'd laugh, if it wasn't so pathetic...

Edited by stekkin, Jul 21, 2012 @ 6:44 AM.

[Ravenwing263]

That's eexactly what they said about Mister Freeze, though.

[stekkin]

Mister Freeze won't be on the show, either! *sob*