Cartoon Network has passed along the episode synopsis, video clips, and over a dozen new images for the upcoming Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode “The Eyes of Despero!.” To get a closer look at the images, click on the thumbnails below.
Cartoon Network has also provided three clips from the episode, which are available to view here at our Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite. The all-new Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode The Eyes of Despero!, scheduled to air at 8pm (ET) this Friday, February 6th, 2009, is described as follows.
In the middle of thwarting a robbery by the Cavalier, Batman is whisked away into outer space. When he arrives on their home world, he discovers The Green Lantern Corps is MIA after a battle with Despero – leaving the entire universe defenseless! To save us all, Batman joins the surviving Green Lanterns, G’Nort, Guy Gardner and Sinestro, to defeat the rampaging tyrant Despero before he turns OA, the living Green Lantern planet into his personal weapon of mass destruction!
Further information on the episode, including a detailed cast list, is available at our our Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite. Stay tuned for further episode details and exclusive content.
Matt Verboys of La-La-Land Records, the label responsible for releasing the first Batman: The Animated Series soundtrack, has confirmed for The World’s Finest that the soundtrack release has sold out at the label. Verboys says that the since the soundtrack has officially sold out for the label, another Batman: The Animated Series soundtrack release is very possible.
While the soundtrack is officially sold-out, Verboys states some copies of the Batman: The Animated Series soundtrack could still be available at partnering online soundtrack outlets. However, due to the very limited quantity, any interested parties should act fast in order to acquire a copy of the soundtrack.
The record label intends to go ahead with a second release, pending approval from Warner Bros. Verboys says that nothing has been finalized yet, but further details are forthcoming about future DC Animation-related soundtrack releases.
The first Batman: The Animated Series soundtrack release was officially shipped out on December 16th, 2008, and was an out-of-the-door hit for the label. Both fan and critical response has been overwhelmingly positive, allowing the release to sell out in under two months. The soundtrack had a limited edition print run of 3000 copies. La-La-Land Records is run by Michael V. Gerhard and Matt Verboys.
In related news, La-La Land Records has confirmed exclusively to The World’s Finest that a CD soundtrack release for the upcoming Wonder Woman animated feature is in the works by the label, with details to be released later in the year. Stay tuned for further updates.
While the Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century comic series, based on the fan-beloved Legion of Super Heroes animated series, may now be a thing of the past like the animated series that inspired it, its impact on the fan community remains solid. The World’s Finest caught up with Jack Briglio, one of the writers on the comic series, to discuss his time on the short-lived series.
The World’s Finest: To kick things off, care to give us a quick run down of yourself and your works for those who may not be familiar?
Jack Briglio: Ive written issues of Scooby Doo and Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century for DC Comics. Before that, I wrote an indy all-ages fantasy series called Growing Up Enchanted with artist Alex Szewczuk that was well received – the series received an Eisner nomination in 2003 for Best Title Aimed at a Younger Audience.
WF: Now, to get right into it, what attracted you to the Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century comic series? Did you watch the series the comic is based upon?
JB: Well, it didnt take too much to attract me to either the show or the comic book series – Ive been a fan of the comic and its diverse cast of characters since I was a kid writing and drawing my own version of their stories as the League of Super-Heroes! Catchy title, I know. So, being a long time fan, I was excited to finally see them get a shot as an animated series and I jumped at the chance to write some of their adventures for the comic book series.
WF: Any thoughts on the series and how, according to both fans and the crew of the series, the animated series was mishandled?
JB: Its too bad that the Legion series didnt get the chance to go five seasons like its predecessors. I thought the first season was excellent and set up their world well. The Subs, Ultra Boy & introducing Mekt, and the Sun-Eater story were some of the highlights for me. The second season was mainly forgettable, though we did get to see the origin retold and there were some nice touches here and there. I agree that it was a disappointment in comparison to what I thought was a good start in the first season. What was most disappointing was cancelling the series, though. They barely scratched the surface of the cast and the whole Legion universe – thats whats so frustrating to the fans, I imagine.
WF: You wrote the final issue of Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century. Were you hoping to give the series a nice, simple send off? Did youknow your issue would be the final Legion animated tale, ordid that happen after the fact?
JB: It was after the fact. My story wasnt originally planned as the finale so when I was told it was going to be the last issue, I had to rewrite it to give the series a proper send-off. I think (and I hope) that having the 1959 Legion appear at the end of the story watching over the animated Legion, just as animated Brainy was doing in his dimensional portal earlier in the issue, was a nice, simple send-off and a surprise. I wanted to celebrate the Legions 50th Anniversary as well and what better way than with the Legion mantra – “Long Live the Legion?”
WF: Do you have any favorite mainstream Legion moments or characters you worked into your Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century issues? Are there any that you would have liked to found a way to squeeze into one of your issues?
JB: Telling Element Lads story in issue 14 and having Bouncing Boy and Triplicate Girl go out on a date in issue 8 fighting Starfinger – those were tips of the hat to the Legion canon, definitely. Brainys visions in the dimensional portal in issue 20 as well – I was able to reference some nice bits of Legion and Superman history. And, actually, had the series lasted longer, I had a few stories pitched stemming from both issue 14 and 20. An Element Lad sequel where he faces off against Roxxas, Luthor, and the Legion of Super-Villains. And that vision of seeing the Legions destruction with strewn bits of kryptonite everywhere? That was definitely a set-up for a future issue. Alas and alack. L I would have liked to have squeezed in Ultra Boy, Mon-el, and Ferro Lad as well but it was not meant to be, I guess.
WF: Youve also done work on DCs Scooby-Doo comic series, which I imagine is a completely different writing process. How do you approach such projects as Scooby-Doo differently than Legion?
JB: Scoobys stories are strictly mysteries and shorter in length (10-12 pages max) so setting up mysteries in less than 20 pages can be a challenge. Their stories do allow you to run loose with humour so its a lot of fun to tell the crazy antics and slapstick humour that Shaggy & Scooby bring to every mystery!
WF:You were interviewed in 2007 by the Canadian network CTV for your comic work. Was it surreal to be interviewed on one of your passions? And did it help with getting your name out there a little further?
JB: Definitely. I was shocked to get the call asking to be interviewed. They had seen an article in the Ottawa Citizen about me so it was totally unexpected. It was nice to get the exposure and interest. The interviewer was a comic book fan so that probably helped! I did get a lot of attention locally (friends, family, co-workers etc.) but other than that and the extra copies sold locally, Im not sure what effect it had in getting my name out there.
WF: As we wrap this up, care to let us in on future projects you have coming down the pipe-line? Where will we be seeing your name next?
JB: I have some more Scooby pitches in the pipeline and Im also in discussion with DC and a couple of other companies about new projects. Nothing solid that can be reported yet but hopefully will know more after I come back from the New York Comic Con next week.
The World’s Finest would like to thank Jack Briglio for taking the time to speak to us!
Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century came to an end with issue #20 in November 2008. Stay tuned for further updates on the DC Comics animated comic line, including news and interviews!
The details on the first issue of this new ongoing comic series, released earlier this week by DC Comics, are available below.
BATMAN: THE RBAVE AND THE BOLD #1
Written by: Matt Wayne Art by: Andy Suriano & Dan Davis Cover by: James Tucker
Jumping out of your TV and into your comics comes the highly anticipated new cartoon Batman: The Brave and The B old! Each month, The Dark Knight Detective faces challenges that only he can solve with a little help from his DC Universe pals! Thrill as Batman visits new places and old friends. Chill as he chases down the most powerful villains in the DCU, armed with only his Bat-gadgets and his wits!
In this awesome first issue, show writer Matt Wayne joins forces with Andy Suriano and Dan Davis to bring you “The Panic of the Composite Creature,” a tale of terror and adventure! All this action plus Batman’s secret files await you each and every month. So hang on to your seats, and get ready for the read of your life!
The first issue, released on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009, comes with a cover price of $2.50 US.
In related news, the Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode Journey to the Center of the Bat!, the next all-new episode of the series, premieres at 8pm(ET) this Friday, January 30th, 2009 on Cartoon Network. For further details on the new episode, click here!
Check out the Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite here at The World’s Finest for a complete collection of Batman: The Brave and The Bold coverage. Stay tuned for further updates, including exclusive content and news.
Below are official descriptions and respective airdates for the new episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold slated for February 2009, and beyond, on Cartoon Network.
Friday, Febuary 6th, 2009 – “The Eyes of Despero!” The Green Lantern Corps is MIA after a battle with Despero and Batman must team with G’Nort, Guy Gardner and Sinestro to defeat Despero before he turns the living Green Lantern planet into a weapon.
Friday, February 20th, 2009 – “Return of the Fearsome Fangs!” Batman and a reluctant Bronze Tiger fight to prevent Fox, Vulture and Shark from invading an ancient Chinese temple and stealing the sacred animal totem from within.
Friday, February 27th, 2009 – “Deep Cover for Batman!” Batman swaps places with Owlman — his criminal counterpart in an alternate Universe — to stop the Crime Syndicate from taking over the world.
Friday, March 6th, 2009 – “Game Over for Owlman!” On Earth, Owlman has been perpetrating crimes disguised as Batman and assembled all the villains to join him.
Batman: The Brave and The Bold airs every Friday at 8pm (ET) on Cartoon Network.
The Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode Journey to the Center of the Bat!, the next all-new episode of the series, premieres this Friday, January 30th, 2009. For further details on the new episode, click here!
Check out the Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite here at The World’s Finest for a complete collection of Batman: The Brave and The Bold coverage. Stay tuned for further updates, including exclusive content and news.