Landry Walker Discusses Writing For The “Batman: The Brave And The Bold” Comic Series
The Worlds Finest recently sat down with Landry Walker, one of the writers for the acclaimed Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series, to discuss working on the title spun-out from the current fan-favorite animated series. Batman: The Brave and The Bold #12, Walkers latest issue of the comic title, hits shelves this Wednesday, December 16th, 2009. Scroll down to read the latest Q & A from The Worlds Finest.
The Worlds Finest: To kick things off, care to give us a quick rundown of yourself and your works for those who may not be familiar?
Landry Walker: I’ve been working in the comics field for the majority of two decades, typically with artist Eric Jones. I’m best known for writing the recent all-ages mini-series Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade. Previous to that, I co-wrote the Tron: Ghost in theMachine series, wrote for Disney Adventures Magazine for a number of years, co-created the comic Little Gloomy, the comic Kid Gravity, and so on.
WF: Now, to get right into it, what attracted you to the Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series?
LW: I’ve been a Batman fan since I could walk. I grew up on reruns of the 60’s Adam West version. As I got older, while all my friends were gravitating towards the “darker” edge with comics, I was buying up comics at flea markets and discovering the 1950’s work.
So while Eric and I were involved on our Supergirl book, we began looking for what we might like to do next. Batman, as envisioned in a 1950’s/60’s way was the obvious choice for us both, so we began putting together a pitch. This was just before SDCC 2008. When we got down to said convention, we saw ads for the show, and immediately dropped the concept. Minus the team-up aspect, it was almost identical to what we were planning.
Several months later, Michael Siglain approached Eric and I about working on the title.
WF: Do you watch the series the comic is based upon? Have you watched any of the previous animated interpretations of the Dark Knight and his DC cohorts?
LW: Eric and I both have watched the series closely since the premiere. I’m a big fan of the DC based cartoons. That said, I enjoyed the cartoon more when I wasn’t writing the book. When you start working on something, you have to look at it from a different, less fun angle. You can imagine how Eric and I felt when, just after he finished drawing our Catman story, the episode with Catman aired. It was unfortunate for our long range plans that Catman was used in such a throw away manner on the show. We had big, big plans for him that are most certainly scrapped now.
As previously mentioned, I’m a huge fan of DC cartoons. I was always a DC kid. Marvel was never quite for me. So yeah… I watch all the shows.
WF: Do you have any favorite moments from the animated series in particular?
LW: Favorite moments… Any appearance of Ted Kord will win me over. Same with the Question. In the 70’s, my grandmother took me to a thrift store and bought me a bunch of comics. It was a huge run of old Ditko Charlton stuff. It’s still weird for me to see the characters integrated into the DCU. Weird, but fun.
I like the Gibble people. I like the performance and scripting of the modern Blue Beetle. I enjoyed when Batman took the characteristics of the other heroes while fighting Exquinox, it was reminiscent of my favorite Robin moment from the Superfriends where something similar transpired. I don’t like that Robin is older and rebellious. I’d rather see him in his historic role. But that’s a deep seated personal preference I simply can’t shake.
WF: Is there anything from the show you’d like to see put into the comic (or perhaps vice-versa)?
LW: I don’t think much in terms of what I would like to bring from the show to the comic, and certainly not vice-versa. They’re two different creatures. My main goal with the comic is to capture the essence of the cartoon, without directly emulating it. You can’t emulate it directly. The mediums are so different… as an example, I’ve been putting a heavier emphasis on Batman’s internal voice. he doesn’t really use it that much in the show. But it’s a memorable aspect that many people take particular note of. So I play it up past the point of how it might appear in the show to evoke the feel of the show. If that makes sense.
That said, Eric and I made a decision early on that there had to be a significant break between the opening story and the main story. Hence our specific title page. When the two “chapters” blur together, it feels less like the show to me. There has to be a break there.
WF: Youve also done work on other well-known kid-oriented fare, like Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eight Grade and The Incredible: City of Incredibles? Given this day and age of very adult-focused comics, is it difficult to write a comic that has to remain accessible for all-ages?
LW: Writing? It’s not difficult at all. However, the work is a much harder sell to the modern comics audience. Anything out of continuity isn’t “real” according to many people I have spoken with. Anything marketed as “all-ages” is automatically dismissed as “kiddie”. I hate that word. It’s an insult to our work.
WF: Are you the new regular writer for the Batman: The Brave and The Bold series, or will you be trading off with J. Torres and other writers in the future?
LW: That’s a question only our editor could answer. Currently, we’re not doing every issue. It’s better for Eric to have a little buffer time between issues, as he’s working alot of detail into the book. We’re also working on a couple of other things…
WF: Returning to the Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic, care to drop any teasers about your upcoming issues?
LW:Teasers… Well, I should point out that there has been more than one reference made to our Supergirl series. That may or may not be a coincidence. Our editor is a fan of holiday issues. He thinks they’re a lot of fun. He also likes to torture me into coming up with seasonal storylines. So… let’s see. We have the complete destruction of Earth. We have Batman plummeting into the heart of a black hole. We have an Easter story that may have something to do with eggs. We have our Valentine’s day issue… that’s probably the darkest issue to date. Things go very wrong for Batman on Valentine’s day. And not in a cute lovey-dovey manner.
The show has a really nice balance of fun and serious. Of cute and macabre. So some issues will be relatively light. Others will be very dark. That’s basically what is coming up.
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?
LW: Well, I’m co-writing the ongoing The Incredibles series with Mark Waid for Boom! Studios. That’s been a lot of fun. Very different from Batman. I’m hoping to branch into a bit more Disney related works. Disney publishing and I go way back, and so I jump at any opportunity to work with them. Eric and I are working on a very adult-oriented super hero series… it’s really more crime fiction. Hard to describe at this point.
Our earlier, creator owned all-ages work, Little Gloomy, is being animated for TV right now, in conjunction with 1492 Pictures. I recently got news on the voice talent. Very exciting. That’s all I can really say about that.
Otherwise, we’ll be at many conventions. People should look for us at them and bring us pop-tarts. Eric provides sketches. I provide… well… nothing. But come and find us anyway.
The World’s Finest would like to thank Landry Walker for both participating in this Q & A and providing the photo featured above. The cover art for Batman: The Brave and The Bold #12 is also featured above.
Batman: The Brave and The Bold #12, written by Landry Walker with art by Eric Jones, hits shelves Wednesday, December 16th, 2009. Additionally, a trade collection of Walkers recent Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eight Grademini-series is scheduled to hit shelves a week later, on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009. More information and images from the Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series can be found at the Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite here at The World’s Finest.
Stay tuned for further updates on the Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series later this week.
Directors Liu And Montgomery On “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” Animated Feature
The World’s Finest presents the latest studio-conducted interview, provided by Warner Home Video, for the upcoming Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths direct-to-video animated feature. Continue reading below for the latest installment featuring directors Sam Liu and Lauren Montgomery.
When youre dealing with a story so huge that it spans multiple Earths, its sometimes a good idea to arm yourself with multiple directors, as did the production team behind Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, an all-new DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie from Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation.Lauren Montgomery and Sam Liu, the animation directors of the past three DC Universe films, have combined their talents to bring Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths to the screen as a blockbuster tale of super heroes and super villains engaged in the ultimate battle of parallel worlds and, through a diabolical plan launched by Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril.
Montgomery has been an active member of the directing team behind several of the DCU films, initially guiding the middle section of Superman Doomsday before accepting the sole directorial role for both Wonder Woman and Green Lantern: First Flight. After directing several ventures, including Hulk Versus Thor for rival Marvel, Liu made his long-form directorial debut for the DCU series on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.
As the films lead characters are armed with similar talents while coming from distinctly different perspectives, the same can be said of the two directors of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Both Montgomery and Liu are relatively soft-spoken individuals, yet both are opinionated in their approach to animation, diligent in their work ethic, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome. Over the course of making the film, they came to learn a great deal about the others vision, and the result is even greater than the sum of their talents.
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is an original story from award-winning animation/comics writer Dwayne McDuffie (Justice League). Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday) is executive producer, and Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight) and Sam Liu (Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) are co-directors. The full-length animated film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray Hi-Def, as well as single disc DVD, and On Demand and Download.
Montgomery and Liu paused from their current DCU projects (shhh its a secret) to discuss their thoughts on the creation of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. FYI: The interviews were conducted separately. Montgomerys answers are listed first because, well, decorum dictates that ladies go first
QUESTION:
How did you two go about co-directing Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
We kind of just went over the whole film together and it was really good to get two different points of view as a check and balance for each other. If we disagreed, we found compromises that would work. If one of us felt strongly about something, we just traded off Sam would take a sequence he felt strongly about, then Id take one I wanted. But for the most part, we agreed. We both work in such different ways, it was interesting to see how someone else works and
learn from it.
SAM LIU:
We went through the film front to back, and if we ran into a problem or an area where either of us had an issue, usually where we thought it could be stronger or could be playing better, we usually solved it right on the spot. If we got to a section that was requiring a lot more revisions, one of us would jump on it and the other would move the rest of the film forward until we hit another rough spot. So that was our process.
QUESTION:
What have you learned from each other?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
Sam breaks things down a lot, hes very analytical. I tend not to. He spends a lot of time thinking about the story and getting into all the nooks and crannies of it, and I like to work with the general story. Hell read the whole book, Ill read the back of the book. I try to get the emotional points down so people can understand them, but Sam will go even deeper to use shots and set-ups to drive the point home, sometimes metaphorically. He thinks harder than I do.
SAM LIU:
Our processes are very different. I like getting into a script and breaking things down. Maybe I dont have the best ideas, but Im pretty good at recognizing where things are needed. I really liked the back and forth process (with Lauren), talking about ideas and batting it back and forth to find a good solution. Lauren is more instinctual, she works more from the gut. And I think she works off reaction rather than an intellectual breakdown. Im the other way by process. But I do feel like sometimes I over-analyze things, when sometimes its almost like the emotional flow of the movie is good enough. Lauren gets that. Sometimes logic can be bypassed if the scene is engaging enough, or interesting enough. Itll bridge gaps and you dont need to analytically fix all those gaps.
QUESTION:
What do you think you might have taught each other?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
I think Sam stresses out slightly less when Im around. He stresses and I dont. I think I calm him down a little bit. But when hes alone, he stresses out just as much. Hopefully I helped with that.
SAM LIU:
I dont think I taught her anything (he laughs). Shes a free-flowing, shoot-from-the-hip kind of person, and Im kind of an angster I nitpick things. I like getting into the story, and from there some things do need working out things related to the emotional journey of a character that need to be highlighted or punctuated to set something up for later. Im a stickler for things like that. And I think she saw those things.
I do stress, though and there are times when Im freaking out about something and she puts me at total ease. And then theres times when Im freaking out and shes fighting me on it, and it makes it worse. I think were both control freaks in our own way, its just a difference in approach. I fixate on a lot of things, and she thinks things are just good enough, so lets move on. We have an innate concept about the overall picture, but she focuses more on the acting and poses and timing and movement, and I think more on structure. I guess theres a good balance.
QUESTION:
Do you have a favorite scene in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
Theres a fight between Wonder Woman and Olympia that I thought was really beautifully animated. Thats always fun to watch. It was boarded well, but the overseas animators took the drawings from the boards and really plussed it out. I think they just enjoy animating girl fights overseas because those scenes always come back looking good.
SAM LIU:
More than one scene, I like the overall relatability of the Justice League characters. There was great character interaction. When I watch movies, I like something that has an emotional connection, and this film definitely does.
Specifically, I think the spectacle of these evenly matched supers fighting was really cool. Superman versus Ultraman. Flash fighting someone equally as fast. Strengths against strengths. Jay Oliva boarded the last fight sequence and the Superwoman-Wonder Woman fight is great. Theyre both strong, super powerful women and I think it was brutal enough as is, but the way Jay made Wonder Woman use the lasso to slam Superwoman to the ground is pretty amazing.
The battle between Owlman and Batman is awesome, too, because its sort of this weird intellectual standoff. Owlman is so far into his psychosis as to how the universe operates, its very existential. His concept is crazy, but the way he reasons out the technology of how things work and the way he thinks, it gave us great room to improvise Batmans reaction. And then when they actually fight, its brutal. They do these gadget fights, sort of a modern ninja battle. The sound effects on the planet, the colors, the way its animated, it all works really well. And James Woods voice is perfect most of the Crime Syndicate is very thuggish, theyre all about stealing money. But Owlman has created the ultimate plan to annihilate everybody, and James Woods does this great build-up. Its great acting. He plays Owlman as a little bit off and kind of creepy, but not sinister creepy. His cadence is great, and his voice is almost charming in a way. It was a good mix of all the things I thought wed have a problem with if we went too far one way or the other. Its a great, tight sequence and Im very happy the way it all came together.
QUESTION:
What were the challenges of directing this film?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
It was a challenge because we had a really large cast of characters lots of main characters and they all needed a decent amount of screen time. Both the good guys and the bad. We had to make sure the audience got to know each of those characters and make sure they had a presence in the film that was important, and that was a challenge.
SAM LIU:
Definitely the size of the cast and how to give enough screen time to everyone. At one point, Green Lantern was a little light on having enough important things to do. We needed to add a bit for Lex Luthor, too, and I still dont think we did enough. We added a fight to show that Lex can fight, too, and tried to beef him up a bit. But there just wasnt enough screen time to accommodate everyone.
QUESTION:
Do you have a favorite character?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
Superwoman just because shes so wrong. Shes a bully, but shes got the muscle to back it up. Shes everything you shouldnt be, but is fun to work with.
QUESTION:
What skills you learned or developed on past projects were you able to apply to this film?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
We had the same animation studio that did Wonder Woman, so we were able to draw from the work done on Wonder Woman and improve on that. Overall, the animation was good in Wonder Woman, but there was some poor stuff, too. I think they really improved they saw what we responded to in Wonder Woman and they tried to do what they knew we liked, and it was good.
SAM LIU:
I think, this whole process was better for me this time, especially working with Bruce (Timm) and Lauren. I was able to let go a little bit and not have to over-think things, and still know that things would work out. I generally stress over everything until the very last minute. With Lauren, I sort of learned that you can say thats enough and move on to the next thing. I appreciate Lauren and her patience, and that were still friends. In the end, you take care of the important things and everything will work out.
QUESTION:
So, are you happy being an animation director?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
Its never been an easy job. It can be draining. But its still a really fun job. I mean, we get to work on great stories with iconic characters. I know people who would kill to work on Batman and Superman. When you think of it that way well, if I werent working in this job, Id definitely want to. A little bit of the excitement is taken off because Ive done it so many times, but its still a really cool thing to do.
SAM LIU:
I love doing long-form animation. Ive been offered to go back to TV series, but I like this better. Direct-to-videos are hard you have a short amount of time to create a world from the ground up every time and, once its done, it goes on the shelf and you move on but Im so glad I dont have to deal with BSP (Broadcast, Standards & Practices the networks content watchdogs). What I love most is that you get to tell stories people can love, you can have emotional pain and great action, and you get to work with things that are too adult for childrens broadcasting. Thats the stuff that I like telling full stories. So Im very happy.
QUESTION:
Whats your favorite part of the job?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
The best part is when you see the film start to come back (from overseas animation studios) and its looking good. Thats a really nice part. When you see it coming together to be something good, thats very satisfying. You know all your hard work has paid off.
SAM LIU:
I think it has to be working with the story and the characters. I love the development of the characters and how they fit into the story, helping their growth, even if its subtle or small. I like finding the core of what our story is about and trying to push that story. I think most of the time its about the characters and their conflicts in the beginning, and how they resolve those conflicts. On this film, we were able to do that a lot even after production had been underway particularly with Batmans motivation, and showing why it was important for him to stay behind and get Watchtower online. Superman believes one thing; Batman has a different opinion. Its a conflict, and it pays off later.
QUESTION:
Youve been living with this film for well over a year. Can you still watch and enjoy it?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
I enjoy it most with a new audience. You get to see their reactions, and it makes me look at it in a new light. I enjoy watching all of our movies, which is a good thing its nice to be able to watch what youve done and feel good about it.
SAM LIU:
Its hard sometimes, because when youre making a movie, theres so many things you want and wish for, and you still tend to see the things that are missing. In this case, Im comfortable watching because there are so many things that were done right. Im not comfortable watching some of my older stuff. But this is one of the best movies Ive ever worked on, and its very satisfying. I think theres the right amount of action, good conflict, good closure, and intelligent characters. Theyre not just one-dimensional characters. So its satisfying to watch.
QUESTION:
Whats the DC Universe film you hope to direct some day?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
I want that Aquaman project, but I doubt well ever make it.
SAM LIU:
Id love to do Sandman from the Vertigo line. I dont know what kind of story that would be, but Id love to work with Neil Gaiman because I really loved those comics.
QUESTION:
Now that you can see the final product, how do the voices match their animated characters?
LAUREN MONTGOMERY:
Gina Torres and James Woods are probably my favorites. Everybody loves Owlman. Hes such a unique character. Gina is really good as Superwoman she has this strong, seductive, confident voice, and it makes you fear and respect her. Mark Harmon is really good as Superman. At first I was worried because I thought his age might come through, but his voice really works well. Its funny because when we started watching the voice with the animation, it struck us how you could hear little tones of George Newbern and Tim Daly two of our regular Supermans in his voice, which is pretty cool.
SAM LIU:
I really liked Mark Harmon hes got a gentle streak and it goes really well with the strength of his voice. When he was in the
recording booth, I thought he might be too gentle, but it works even in the scenes where he has to be more assertive or powerful. I think it works really well because it never crosses that line of him being mean or not genuine or sneaky. Its very pure, just as Superman should be.
I also thought Josh Keaton did a great job as Flash. Hes hilarious. So much of these movies are based on the acting, and Josh really sold it. The chemistry between characters was good, too. James Woods and Gina Torres have this strange relationship, and their acting makes them real characters. They really engaged their personalities. Thats what good actors do. The voices in this cast really flesh out the characters and give them texture.
Suggested captions for attached images:
LaurenMontgomery.jpg
Lauren Montgomery is co-director of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video. (Photo courtesy of Gary Miereanu)
SamLiu.jpg
Sam Liu is co-director of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video. (Photo courtesy of Gary
Miereanu)
B_Flash_01.jpg
Batman prepares to beam Flash (on screen) aboard Watchtower in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.
Owl_SW_02.jpg
Owlman and Superwoman, as voiced by James Woods and Gina Torres, respectively, have become shining examples of the perfect match between animated character and actor/voice, according to Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths co-directors Lauren Montgomery and Sam Liu. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie, will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.
WW_17.jpg
Wonder Woman engages in a battle with her evil counterpart Olympia in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.DC SUPER HEROES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and DC Comics.
For more information, images and updates, please visit the films official website at www.JUSTICELEAGUECRISIS.com.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths animated feature debuts February 23rd, 2010 on DVD and Blu-ray disc.
Stay tuned for further Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths updates, including exclusive content and more.
Episode Airdate Schedule For Animated “Justice League Unlimited” On Cartoon Network
More episodes from the fan-favorite Justice League Unlimited animated series are scheduled to air in the coming weeks on Cartoon Network. Airing Saturday nights in the 9:30pm (ET) timeslot on said network, the animated series runs as part of the Saturday night “You Are Here!” programming block on Cartoon Network. Expanding upon the current “You Are Here” Friday night installment, the Saturday night block also includes reruns of the Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated series along with other action-oriented programs. The upcoming Justice League Unlimited episode schedule details for Cartoon Network are available below.
Justice League Unlimited
Saturday, December 12th, 2009 at 9:30pm (ET) on Cartoon Network – “31 Flash and Substance”
Batman and Orion see a different side of the Flash when a rogues gallery of villains attacks the museum that is opening in his honor.
Justice League Unlimited
Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at 9:30pm (ET) on Cartoon Network – “32 Dead Reckoning”
The ghost of a circus performer convinces Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman to help him retrieve the stolen souls of a mystic order of Monks.
Justice League Unlimited
Saturday, December 26th, 2009 at 9:30pm (ET) on Cartoon Network – “33 Patriot Act”
When an out of control super soldier threatens Metropolis, Green Arrow leads seven non-powered Justice Leaguers, including Crimson Avenger and Shining Knight, in a battle they cant hope to win.
Justice League Unlimited
Saturday, January 2nd, 2009 at 9:30pm (ET) on Cartoon Network – “34 The Great Brain Robbery”
A mystical accident leads to Lex Luthor and the Flashs minds being swapped into each others bodies.
Justice League Unlimited airs Saturday nights at 9:30pm (ET) as part of the “You Are Here” Saturday night programming block on Cartoon Network. Please note schedule details are subject to change without notice.
Click here for further details on the Justice League Unlimited animated series. Stay tuned for further updates.
New Images And Video Clips From Upcoming “Batman: The Brave And The Bold” Episode
Cartoon Network has passed along the episode synopsis, video clips, and ten images from the upcoming all-new Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode “Long Arm of the Law!” The episode is scheduled to air Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 7:30pm (ET) on Cartoon Network. To get a closer look at the images, click on the thumbnails below.
Click Here For More Images, Videos & Details!
The all-new Batman: The Brave and The Bold “Long Arm of the Law!” episode, scheduled to air on Friday, December 11th 2009 at 7:30pm (ET) on Cartoon Network, is described as seen below.
Batman: The Brave and The Bold “Long Arm of the Law!”
Kite Man, comes back for revenge against Plastic Man. With the help of his unstoppable henchmen Rubberneck, he imperils Plastic Man’s loved ones and threatends to remove the heroes powers forever.
Two clips from the episode, provided by Cartoon Network, are available to view here at our Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite. Other details for Batman: The Brave and The Bold “Long Arm of the Law!”, including cast and crew credits, are also available at our Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite.
Stay tuned for further Batman: The Brave and The Bold updates here at The World’s Finest.
Teletoon Retro Announces Addition Of “Batman: The Animated Series” To Network Line-Up
Teletoon Retro has providing the following press release concerning the addition of Batman: The Animated Series to the Canadian network schedule.
Press Release:
The streets of Gotham are set to be cleaned of criminals when the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series arrives on TELETOON Retro. Beloved by fans, Batman: The Animated Series is one of the most renowned interpretations of Batman, featuring intricate and ambitious storylines and an unique art style. Viewers can catch episodes of Batman: The Animated Series every Friday at 7 am, 6 pm and midnight beginning January 9.
TELETOON Retro will air the first 65 episodes of the series that follows Bruce Wayne as he lives his double life as a wealthy philanthropist and masked crime fighter. Batman: The Animated Series first premiered in September 1992 quickly drawing critical and fan favour with its distinctive take on the Batman story. Starring Kevin Conroy as Batman/Bruce Wayne, the show also features Adrienne Barbeau (Catwoman), John Glover (The Riddler) and Paul Williams (The Penguin). Famously, Mark Hamill takes on the role of The Joker.
Left an orphan after his parents were murdered when he was a child, Bruce Wayne devotes his life to protecting the innocent and ridding Gotham City of crime. Adopting the alter-ego of Batman, Wayne leads a secret life in the city shadows, stalking criminals and exacting vigilante justice. Joining Wayne in his mission is his faithful butler Alfred and young aerial-artist Dick Grayson. Along with depicting familiar allies such as Alfred, Robin, Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon, Batman: The Animated Series re-imagines classic Batman villains such as The Joker, The Penguin and Catwoman. The show also introduces and establishes new character Harley Quinn into the Batman canon.
As important as the dramatic narrative and memorable characters, the art style of Batman: The Animated Series sets the indelible tone of the series. Named Dark Deco by the show producers, the look of the series, inspired by film noir, was created through the use of black background paper instead of the traditional white.
TELETOON Retro has given a new home to animated favourites such as Bugs Bunny, The Smurfs and Scooby-Doo. Offering a nostalgic throwback to timeless cartoons, the channel delivers new laughs with familiar friends like Tom & Jerry, Rocky and Bullwinkle and Woody Woodpecker. TELETOON Retro is now available on Access Communications (Ch. 271), Bell TV (Ch. 599), Bluewater TV Cable & Ex-Cen Cablevision (Ch. 64), Cable Axion (Ch. 247), Cable Cable Inc. (Ch. 508), CityWest Cable (Ch. 84), Cogeco Cable (Ch. 87), Compton Cable (Ch. 90), Execulink Cablecom (Ch. 130), Fraser Canyon Television Association (Ch. 45), Kincardine Cable (Ch. 301), Mitchell Seaforth Cable TV (Ch. 545), Mountain Cablevision (Ch. 390), MTS Allstream Inc. (Ch. 235), SaskTel (Ch. 46), Shaw Cable (Ch. 67), Shaw Direct (Ch. 536), Source Cable (Ch.123), Rogers VIP (Ch. 284), Vidotron illico Digital TV (Ch. 159), Ward Cable TV (Ch. 545) and Westman Communications (Ch. 68).
Available in both English and French, TELETOON Retro presents classic cartoons all day, every day. A nostalgic throwback to favourites of the past, TELETOON Retro delivers new laughs with familiar friends over 6.6 million Canadian homes. TELETOON Canada brings kids, youth and adults the best in animated entertainment with four
nationwide specialty television channels, TELETOON, TLTOON, and TELETOON Retro. Founded in 1997, TELETOON Canada inc. is owned by Astral Media (50%) and Corus Entertainment (50%).
Further details on Batman: The Animated Series are available here at The World’s Finest. Stay tuned for further updates, including new schedule updates and exclusive news.
Upcoming New “Batman: The Brave And The Bold” Episode Details For Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network has confirmed that two new episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold are currently scheduled to air in the coming weeks, including the debut of an all-new episode this week, mixed in with repreats from the first season of the fan-favorite series. Schedule and initial new episode details for Batman: The Brave and The Bold installments slated to air over the next month are available below.
Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 7:30pm (ET) – “Long Arm of the Law!”
Bent on revenge, Kite Man and Rubberneck endanger Plastic Man’s loved ones.
Saturday, December 12th, 2009 at 8:30pm (ET) – “Long Arm of the Law!”
Bent on revenge, Kite Man and Rubberneck endanger Plastic Man’s loved ones.
Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 7:30pm (ET) – “Invasion of the Secret Santas!”
The evil Fun Haus plans to steal Christmas with his army of robot Santas and killer toys including Dynamite Dolly and the Presto Play Pals! Red Tornado teams up with Batman to save the day and in the process, finds his holiday spirit.
Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at 8:30pm (ET) – “Invasion of the Secret Santas!”
The evil Fun Haus plans to steal Christmas with his army of robot Santas and killer toys including Dynamite Dolly and the Presto Play Pals! Red Tornado teams up with Batman to save the day and in the process, finds his holiday spirit.
Friday, December 25th, 2009 at 7:30pm (ET) – “When OMAC Attacks!”
The all-American fighting machine OMAC is pitted against the equally destructive Shrapnel in a chaotic fight to the finish, but the architect behind the battle is the mysterious, balance-obsessed villain Libra.
Saturday, December 26th, 2009 at 8:30pm (ET) – “When OMAC Attacks!”
The all-American fighting machine OMAC is pitted against the equally destructive Shrapnel in a chaotic fight to the finish, but the architect behind the battle is the mysterious, balance-obsessed villain Libra.
Friday, January 1st, 2010 at 7:30pm (ET) – “Revenge of the Reach!”
Batman and Blue Beetle face off against foes from Blue Beetle’s past. Also featuring the Green Lantern Corp.
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 8:30pm (ET) – “Revenge of the Reach!”
Batman and Blue Beetle face off against foes from Blue Beetle’s past. Also featuring the Green Lantern Corp.
New installments of Batman: The Brave and The Bold are slated to air well into 2010, including the premiere of the highly-anticipated “Chill of the Night!” second season episode. Episode specific details, including images, videos and episode descriptions, are forthcoming. Please note that schedule details are subject to change without notice.
In related schedule updates, Cartoon Network is scheduled to air the direct-to-video The Batman Versus Dracula animated feature this Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 5:00pm (ET). The animated feature is based on the recent The Batman animated series from Warner Bros. Animation.
Stay tuned for further updates, including images, clips and details on upcoming episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold.
DVD And Blu-ray Art For Upcoming “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” Animated Feature
Click on the thumbnails below for a closer look at the assorted package artwork for the upcoming home video releases of the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths direct-to-video animated feature.
Blu-ray Disc artwork — Two-Disc Special Edition DVD artwork — Single-Disc DVD artwork
A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths animated feature debuts February 23rd, 2010 on DVD and Blu-ray disc. Click here to view the official press release for the upcoming direct-to-video Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths animated feature release.
Stay tuned for further Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths updates, including exclusive content and more.
Click here to discuss the story!
Note: Check out Marvel Animation Age to view package artwork for the assorted home video releases of the upcoming “Planet Hulk” direct-to-video animated feature, due for a February 2010 release.
Actor Chris Noth Discusses The “Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths” Animated Feature
The World’s Finest presents the latest studio-conducted interviews, provided by Warner Home Video, for the upcoming Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths direct-to-video animated feature. Continue reading below for the latest installment featuring actor Chris Noth.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS
If Sex In the City fans were confused over their see-saw love affair with Chris Noths Mr. Big, comics fans will endure an equal amount of trepidation over Noths latest performance as the voice of a good Lex Luthor in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, an all-new DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie coming February 23, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation.In Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, a good Lex Luthor arrives from an alternate universe to recruit the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a gang of villainous characters with virtually identical super powers to the Justice League. What ensues is the ultimate battle of good versus evil in a war that threatens both planets and, through a diabolical plan launched by Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril.
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is an original story from award-winning animation/comics writer Dwayne McDuffie (Justice League). Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday) is executive producer, and Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight) and Sam Liu (Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) are co-directors. The full-length animated film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray Hi-Def, as well as single disc DVD, and On Demand and Download.
Noth has had a lengthy television presence as both Mr. Big in Sex and the City and as Mike Logan in Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He can currently be seen starring opposite Julianna Margulies in the CBS drama The Good Wife. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths represents Noths inaugural dip into the animated pool.
In Los Angeles to record his 100-plus lines as Lex Luthor, Noth took time during the marathon session to discuss his first animated role. Without further ado
QUESTION:
Youve had an extensive career in a number of acting mediums is this really your first animation voiceover experience?
CHRIS NOTH:
I think I did about three lines of Mike Logan on Family Guy. That was a quick little gig. The character (Stewie) on the show carries a picture of Mike Logan in his wallet, so I was very flattered by that. But that was just a few lines so Lex is pretty much my first real animated role.
QUESTION:
In that case, can you describe what your first actual animation voiceover experience was like?
CHRIS NOTH:
I felt I had an instinct for it, and it was a lot of fun. It’s an interesting technique and, like any medium, whether you’re doing radio or certain kinds of narrative voiceovers for stage or movies, it has its own sort of rules and performance values. I think the choices had to be bold and succinct and clear. To me, it appears that super heroes have to be powerful, but it also has to be real. You have to make bold choices and go all the way through with them. Thats true with a lot of acting anyway. But with animation, it seems to me theres nothing coy about it. The acting has its own subtleties. So you have to find that balance. And as long as you go with that instinct, it’s a blast.
QUESTION:
Did you take a different approach to this Lex Luthor a good guy Lex than you wouldve taken with a typically villainous Lex?
CHRIS NOTH:
I was extremely excited to be playing the ultimate villain from my youth. I remember how Gene Hackman portayed Lex Luthor with such great delight in the films, and I thought Id be getting that Lex. So I was surprised to see that in this script, Lex is actually on the right side of the law. It required a whole new thinking on my part on how to approach him. I mean, he’s a super hero who’s in this very complex, parallel universe. He’s actually trying to save all of reality from being destroyed. So I just took that adjustment and said, Wow, I need to get up to date on my super heroes. I’m guess I’m a little bit retro. (he laughs)
QUESTION:
Do you feel any special significance to be joining the canon of actors Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, Michael Rosenbaum, Clancy Brown to have brought Lex Luthor to life?
CHRIS NOTH:
Initially when I heard about the role, I thought about that great tradition of actors associated with Lex. And I really feel honored to be a part of that group. But this is a complete departure from those performances. This time, Lex is on the right side of the law. He’s worlds away from the old Lex.
QUESTION:
Youve done your share of Shakespeare. Can you characterize Lex within the context of some of the great literary or stage heroes/villains?
CHRIS NOTH:
Not this Lex. I find super heroes to be more archetypes of values of courage and fortitude and things like that. Its interesting to me that the new world of animation, compared to when I was growing up, is so much more diverse in its characters. Theres so many more of them, and its a much more complicated world. The old comic books that I grew up on had these characters that were in many ways Shakespearean. They were very big with their evilness in the same vein as Richard III in Shakespeare. Those characters relished being bad, and that’s always fun to play.
QUESTION:
How did you find working alone in a sound booth versus playing off other actors?
CHRIS NOTH:
It presented a different challenge in the same way that a radio play is different from being on stage, and being on stage is different than being in the movies, and the movies are different than being on a TV series. They all have different values that are fun to explore and to take a crack at. So I found it challenging and interesting to jump into that world.
QUESTION:
Did it get easier when Bruce Davison joined you at the microphone?
CHRIS NOTH:
That was even more fun because I know Bruce and it’s always more fun to work off another person. Sandy Meisner, the great acting teacher, used to say that what you do doesn’t depend on you. It depends on the other fellow. In other words, they make you respond. So when Bruce came in, there was a new kind of energy that I sort of relished. I didn’t have that many scenes with him, but he was a lot of fun and I think he made a great President.
QUESTION:
As you are new to animation voiceovers, youre also new to the direction involved. How did you find Andrea Romano’s direction?
CHRIS NOTH:
(Animation) is very quick, it’s to the point, and very on message, and you have to just go with it. Andrea was extremely helpful to me to get some of the tone and in knowing what you have to keep in mind with what’s happening to the character in the scene. Whether it’s an intimate scene or there’s a lot of action, she keeps you on point. So she’s a very good field marshal.
For more information, images and updates, please visit the films official website at www.JUSTICELEAGUECRISIS.com.
Suggested captions for attached images:
Chris Noth.jpg
Chris Noth (Law & Order, Sex and the City) is the voice of Lex Luthor in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video. (Photo courtesy of Gary Miereanu)
Lex_04.jpg
A good Lex Luthor recruits the Justice League to come to his alternate Earth and battle their evil opposites in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.
Lex_10.jpg
Lex Luthor prepares for battle against the Crime Syndicate an evil version of the Justice League in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.
DC SUPER HEROES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and DC Comics.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths animated feature debuts February 23rd, 2010 on DVD and Blu-ray disc.
Stay tuned for further Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths updates, including exclusive content and more.
“Green Lantern: First Flight” Direct-To-Video Animated Feature Nominated For Annie Award
Click on the images below to view complete coverage of the recent Green Lantern: First Flight direct-to-video animated feature, released to home video in July 2009.
Announced earlier this week, the Green Lantern: First Flight direct-to-video animated feature received a nomination in the 37th Annual Annie Awards, awards recognizing the years best animated features, television productions, commercials, short subjects and more. The nomination is as follows.
Green Lantern: First Flight
-Best Animated Home Entertainment Production
The Annie Awards honor overall excellence in the field of animation as well as individual achievement in a total of 24 categories ranging from production design, character animation, and effects animation to storyboarding, writing, music and voice acting.
Batman: Gotham Knight and Justice League: The New Frontier, two previous titles from the popular DC Universe Animated Original Movie line, were also nominated in the Best Animated Home Entertainment Production in 2008, but neither title took home the honors.
Additionally, ASIFA-Hollywood has announced Bruce Timm, along with Tim Burton and Jeffrey Katzenberg, as recipients of the Winsor McCay Award for 2009. The Winsor McCay Award may be awarded to a maximum of three individuals in recognition of lifetime or career contributions to the art of animation in producing, directing, animating, design, writing, voice acting, sound and sound effects, technical work, music, professional teaching, or for other endeavors which exhibit outstanding contributions to excellence in animation.
More details can be found at the official website for the 37th Annual Annie Awards. Award recipients will claim their trophies at the 37th Annual Annie Awards scheduled for Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles, California. Stay tuned for further updates.
December 2009 “Batman: The Brave And The Bold” Episode Airdate Schedule On Teletoon
Below are official descriptions and airdates for episodes of the Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated series slated to air December 2009 on the Canadian network Teletoon. Please note the information listed below is provided by Teletoon.
Sunday, December 6th, 2009 – “021 Duel of the Double Crossers!”
When Mongul recruits Jonah Hex to bring new gladiators to War World, the old west bounty hunter wrangles the Dark Knight.
Sunday, December 13th, 2009 – “022 The Last Bat on Earth!”
Gorilla Grodd travels to the future where intelligent animals rule humans –Batman follows him and teams with Kamandi (the last boy on Earth) to bring him down.
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 – “05 Invasion of the Secret Santa!”
Batman and Red Tornado join forces to stop a holiday crime spree.
Sunday, December 27th, 2009 – “023 When Omac Attacks!”
The all-American fighting machine OMAC is pitted against the equally destructive Shrapnel in a chaotic fight to the finish.
Please note that while Batman: The Brave and The Bold will be pre-empted on Sunday, December 20th, 2009 due to special holiday-related programming on Teletoon, a special presentation of Batman: The Brave and The Bold is scheduled for Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 4:00pm (ET) as listed above. Batman: The Brave and The Bold airs every Sunday at 9am (ET) on the Teletoon “Action Force” programming block, with Sunday-premiering episodes re-airing Fridays at 7pm (ET) as part of the “Superfan Fridays” programming block. Please note schedule details are subject to change without notice.
In additional related news, Cartoon Network has scheduled the Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode “Long Arm of the Law!” to air Saturday, December 11th, 2009 at 7:30pm (ET) on Cartoon Network. The episode guest stars Plastic Man and features Kite Man. Following that, the new Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode “Revenge of the Reach!,” featuring Blue Beetle and the Green Lantern Corp, is slated to debut in January 2010. Further details on both episodes are forthcoming.
More details on the Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated series are available at our Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite. Stay tuned for further details on upcoming episodes and exclusive content.
World’s Finest Online: A Comprehensive Guide to the DCAU
World’s Finest Online, a premier resource for fans of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), is a site that truly understands and values your passion. We offer a wealth of information, news, and updates about the beloved animated series and movies based on DC Comics’ iconic characters. Since its inception, World’s Finest Online has been dedicated to providing detailed content about the DCAU, making it a destination for enthusiasts like you.
Origins and Evolution of World’s Finest Online
Dcanimated.com began as a fan-driven project dedicated to documenting the DCAU. The site has grown significantly, offering comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the DC Animated Universe. It features detailed episode guides, character biographies, and behind-the-scenes insights, making it an invaluable resource for fans.
Extensive Coverage of DCAU Series and Movies
World’s Finest Online provides in-depth information on all major DCAU series, including classics like Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and Justice League. Each series is explored thoroughly, with episode summaries, reviews, and notable quotes. The site also covers DCAU movies, such as Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Justice League: The New Frontier, offering detailed analyses and production notes.
Staying current with the latest developments in the DCAU is easy with World’s Finest Online. The site regularly updates its news section with announcements about new releases, upcoming projects, and special events. Fans can stay informed about voice cast reunions, special edition releases, and convention appearances related to the DCAU.
Exclusive Interviews and Insights
World’s Finest Online features exclusive interviews with key figures behind the DCAU. Creators like Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett share their insights and experiences, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of these iconic shows and movies. These interviews provide valuable context and deepen the appreciation for the creative efforts that brought the DCAU to life.
World’s Finest Online Community Engagement and Fan Contributions
The site fosters a vibrant community of DCAU fans. Visitors can participate in forums, share fan art, and contribute to discussions about their favorite shows and characters. World’s Finest Online also highlights fan projects and provides a platform for fans to showcase their creativity and passion for the DCAU.
Comprehensive Episode Guides and Character Biographies
One of the standout features of dcanimated.com is its extensive episode guides. Each episode of the DCAU series is meticulously cataloged, with summaries, key moments, and notable quotes. Additionally, the site offers detailed biographies of major and minor characters, providing background information and character development insights.
World’s Finest Online boasts a rich collection of archival content, including video clips, image galleries, and soundtracks from various DCAU series and movies. The site also features special sections dedicated to unique aspects of the DCAU, such as iconic moments, crossover episodes, and thematic explorations.
Where to Watch the DCAU
World’s Finest Online provides information on where fans can watch their favorite DCAU series and movies. The site includes links to streaming platforms like HBO Max and details about physical media releases. This makes it easy for fans to enjoy the DCAU’s extensive content library.
World’s Finest Online is an essential resource for any fan of the DC Animated Universe. With its comprehensive coverage, exclusive content, and active community, the site continues to celebrate and preserve the legacy of the DCAU. Fans can rely on World’s Finest Online for accurate information, engaging content, and the latest updates in DC animated storytelling.
About the World’s Finest Online Creators
World’s Finest Online was created by dedicated fans of the DCAU. Their passion and commitment have made the site a trusted source of news and information. By providing detailed and engaging content, they have ensured that the DCAU’s legacy continues to thrive.