Menu Screens, Package Artwork For “Beware The Batman: Season One, Part Two: Dark Justice” DVD Release
The World’s Finest has a look at the package art and menu system for the upcoming Beware The Batman – Season One, Part Two: Dark Justice DVD release, set to hit shelves on Tuesday, September 30th, 2014 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. A Blu-ray release of the title will also be available to order the same day from the Warner Archive Collection. The Warner Bros. Home Entertainment DVD release will be available through all retail and online outlets, while the Blu-ray release is available exclusively through Warner Archive and select online outlets. MSRP for the two-disc DVD release is $19.97, and the MSRP for the single-disc Blu-ray release is $21.99.
Click on the thumbnails below for a closer look at the Beware The Batman – Season One, Part Two: Dark Justice package artwork and menu system, with the official product description following.
Beware The Batman – Season One, Part Two: Dark Justice
Studio: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Warner Archive
Release Date: September 30th, 2014
Synopsis: The battle continues as Batman races to challenge the world’s most sinister criminal minds who have Gotham City in their crosshairs. This action-packed 2-disc collection kicks ass as the Dark Knight’s arch-nemesis, Ra’s Al Ghul, holds a fearful city under siege with a destructive weapon in “Darkness.” Batman becomes the hunted in “Reckoning” as the League of assassins offers a hefty bounty to get rid of the Dark Knight. A legion of clones and a visitor from Bruce Wayne’s past wreak havoc across the city in “Unique.” All this plus an endless army of evil, including the likes of Professor Pyg, Mr. Toad, Magpie, Phosphorus Rex and Tobias Whale, all clawing at the chance to shatter the Bat. Join the fight for justice in this collection of covert missions, mysterious clues and just-busting brawls that only Batman can deliver.
The two-disc Beware The Batman – Season One, Part Two: Dark Justice DVD collection, featuring the final thirteen episodes of the short-lived CG-animated series, hits shelves September 30th, 2014 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment for $19.97US. A Blu-ray release, featuring the same content on a single disc, will be available starting on the same date from Warner Archive for $21.99US. Additional details can be found on the The World’s Finest Beware The Batman subsite.
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Warner Archive Press Release Highlights “Beware The Batman,” “Young Justice,” Other Animated Fare
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has provided the following press release promoting current and upcoming titles from the Warner Archive Collection. The details below cover forthcoming titles, including the highly-anticipated Beware the Batman: Dark Justice Blu-ray title, along with current releases, including Batman: The Brave and The Bold – The Complete Second Season and Young Justice: Season One. Warner Archive is the manufacture-on-demand specialty label from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Continue below to check out the press release.
TO LOOPY DA LOOP, SHIRT TALES & GILLIGAN’S PLANET,
ANIMATION ABOUNDS AT WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION
BEWARE THE BATMAN: DARK JUSTICE COMING 9/30/14 TO BLU RAY
WARNER ARCHIVE INSTANT RIPE WITH AQUATIC ANIMATION
INCLUDING UNDERWATER CLASSICS AQUAMAN & MARINE BOY;
GET YOUR FREE ONE-MONTH TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION TODAY
Warner Archive Collection (WAC) and Warner Archive Instant (WAI) continue to serve as hosts to some of the most treasured animated productions of the past half-century. The most seasoned animation fan can find plenty of WAC and WAI offerings to their liking, running the gamut from Blu-ray releases of recent super hero favorites like Young Justice, Beware the Batman and Batman: The Brave and the Bold, to classic 1950s and 1960s cartoons like Hanna-Barbera’s Loopy Da Loop and the landmark anime series Marine Boy, to the playful silliness of the 1980s with Shirt Tales and Gilligan’s Planet. All of these titles can be found at wbshop.com.
Animated aquatics are currently receiving a featured place on Warner Archive Instant, where you can find episodes of both Filmation’s Aquaman and the first two seasons of Marine Boy. And with WAI’s offer of a free one-month subscription, there’s no reason not to sample the rich catalog of titles available for streaming. Check it out at Warner Archive Instant.
Pre-orders are now open for Warner Archive Collection’s Blu-ray™ release of Beware The Batman: Dark Justice. Featuring the final 13 episodes of the groundbreaking, all-new CGI series’ first season, the single-disc Blu-ray™ will be released on September 30. Beware The Batman: Dark Justice pits Batman, Alfred and swordstress Katana against the underworld likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie. Over the final 13 episodes, the rogues gallery expands with appearances by Killer Croc, Man-Bat, Deathstroke and more. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this action-packed detective thriller deftly redefines what we have come to know as a ‘Batman show.” Pre-orders for Beware The Batman: Dark Justice” can be placed now on directly at the WB Shop.
Here’s a glance at other animated offerings now available at WAC and/or WAI…
Shirt Tales
Meet the world’s cuddliest crime-stoppers: Pammy Panda, Tyg Tiger, Rick Raccoon, Digger Mole, and Bogey Orangutan they’re cute, they’re furry and they have a secret. Whenever the purple mushroom by the giant tree they call home starts to flash, they swing into action as the crime-sleuthing squad called the Shirt Tales. Racing down to their secret lair hidden underneath the tree (and under the nose of Park Ranger Mr. Dinkle), they answer the Shirt Tale Alert from the Commissioner who clues them in on the current crime via holo-phone. Then it¹s off to their shape-changing supersonic craft where they use their wiles and their fantastic gadgets to solve the mystery and nab the bad guys. While these message-wearing T-shirted critters started out as adorable greeting card characters, it took the genius of Hanna-Barbara to take the cute and mix-it up with a blend of Batman and Scooby-Doo to create a fan-and family classic. This is the 46-episode, complete series collection.
Loopy da Loop: The Complete Collection (1959-65)
Between leaving MGM and building a TV empire, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera served up a series of theatrical shorts about a charming, tuque-wearing French Canadian wolf by the pun-tastic name of Loopy De Loop. Distributed to theaters by Columbia, these 48 shorts depict the misadventures of wolf with a mission to change the bad image that people have of wolves, and make them appreciated as warm and generous fellow creatures. Not an easy job, even for a loup as charming as Mssr. Loopy, and the poor fellow is usually rewarded with a terrified cry for “Help!” and a clout to the head. But hope springs eternal in the heart of this un-savage beast as he tries to undo his kind¹s big, bad image by rendering aid and assistance to the likes of Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Little Bo Beep, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, D¹Artagnan, Dr. Jeckyll and more to injurious and hilarious results. Rarely seen due to their unique genesis, Loopy De Loop is an unusual charmer (Much like Loopy himself) in the illustrious Hanna-Barbera oeuvre, combining the funny animal sit-com antics of classic H-B with the kind of satire associated with the work of Jay Ward. But now’s your chance to enjoy them all with this complete collection that will have you crying “Sacre-iliac!”
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray)
Bigger, bolder, blu-er! The fearsome fan-addict forces behind Batman: The Brave and the Bold fired on all bat-cylinders for this fantastic sophomore season that skillfully blends super-heroics, sly satire, and a leviathan scope for an animated concoction embracing the fun of the past with the pow! of the present. Thanks to the series first season, Batman goes even farther beyond the expected grim and grit of the Dark Knight in both their narrative approach AND in the fun. Across the 26-Episode second season – presented in HD and widescreen as it was meant to be seen – you’ll find a vacationing Aquaman, a requiem for a Scarlet Speedster, the legendary Justice Society, the celebrated Justice League International, the Super Batman of Planet X (voiced by Kevin Conroy), Batman’s Strangest Cases featuring a team-up with one snack-loving, mystery solving mutt and an overarching story arc that climaxes in a stunning battle against Starro the Conqueror! Joining Diedrich Bader (Batman) are some very special guest voices, including Adam West, Julie Newmar, Paul Reubens, Mark Hamill, Tom Kenny, John DiMaggio, Tara Strong, Stephen Root and many more! And making this collection even more fab is the fact that the episodes are presented in the producer’s preferred order for the first time anywhere – including the “The Mask of Matches Malone!” in the correct aspect ratio! Batman: The Brave and the Bold, The Complete First Season is also available via WAC.
Young Justice – Season One (Blu-ray)
The two-disc, 26-episode Young Justice: Season One features Greg Weisman (Gargoyles) and Brandon Vietti’s (Batman: The Brave and The Bold) critically acclaimed and fan-approved tale of titanic teen heroes. Strap in and get ready for this dashing and daring new take on Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis as they splash across the 16×9 widescreen. In this first season, a “junior” Justice League bands together for purposes both light and dark – to honor the legacies they will one day inherit, and to be the Justice League’s secret weapon. From within their HQ The Cave, they embark on covert missions that would be impossible for the high profile Justice League. Batman (naturally) is their mission handler, Red Tornado supervises and Black Canary trains them. But the lads and ladies of Young Justice push their mission envelope and discover the dark secrets hidden behind the scenes of this alternate DC universe.
Gilligan’s Planet (1982)
It’s a brand new story about The Castaways! Leaving their tiny island after years and months and days, they built a little spaceship, crude but it could fly. They left their home and lost their way, between the stars and sky, they went from an island to star, lost on Gilligan’s Planet. It’s true The Castaways are now lost in space! They¹re all here, in this strange, new world, Gilligan (voice of Bob Denver), the Skipper (voice of Alan Hale, Jr.), the Millionaire (voice of Jim Backus), his Wife (voice of Natalie Schafer), the Movie Star (voice of Dawn Wells), the Professor (Russell Johnson) and Mary Ann (voice of Dawn Wells). Now joined by Gilligan¹s alien sidekick Bumper, they begin a whole new life on a whole new world while still trying to repair the now space-worthy SS Minnow and return home from their near-infinite three hour tour. It¹s something old, something new in this Saturday morning cartoon sit-com sci-fi romp!
Magic Boy (1960)
Magically-gifted boy Sasuke lives in peace, deep in the forest with his animal pals and his elder sister, Oyu. After their forest sanctuary is violated by a demon witch who devours one of Sasuke’s animal companions, he vows vengeance. Leaving the forest, the boy sets out to master his magical gifts by making a pilgrimage to the home of the wizard, Hakuunsai. While Sasuke learns the ways of magic, Yakusha, the demon witch, terrorizes the countryside, and Sasuke works to complete his training in time. Magic Boy aka Shunen Sarutobi Sasuke is a classic piece of anime history – the first full-length animated feature produced in Japan to reach the shores of the United States. With much of the original storyline left untouched and centering on pop culture staple hero Sarutobi Sasuke (think Bomba the Jungle Boy crossed with a ninja), Magic Boy is an enchanting precursor to decades of imported Japanese ani-magic. Presented in 16×9 Widescreen.
Marine Boy: The Complete Third Season (1967-68)
Marine Boy, the amazing aquatic hero of the American anime action classic, surfaces for a final volume of sea-faring sci-fi adventures! This 3-Disc, 26-Episode Collections rounds out Marine Boy’s excursions for the Ocean Patrol Marine Headquarters with a series of fantastic confrontations against fearsome foes side by side with some fabulous friends. Thanks to the inventions of his father, Dr. Mariner, Marine Boy is super-scuba geared up and ready for the full fathom fighting form with his propeller shoes and bulletproof wet suit, not mention his boomerangs and Oxy-gum! So take a swim with Marine Boy, his dolphin Splasher, mermaid gal pal Neptina, hero-worshiping little Clicli and the stalwart crew of supersub P-1 as they go up against evil electronic brains, haunted island, ghost cruisers, mutant plankton swarms, militarized red dolphins, and attacking icebergs. It’s just another day under the sea for Marine Boy – brave and free!
And on Warner Archive Instant …
Aquaman (1967)
Swim along with the King of the Seven Seas in his swingin’ sixties animated incarnation from Filmation. Aquaman, alongside teen sidekick Aqualad and his Queen, Mera, uses his astounding powers to defend the ancient undersea city of Atlantis and endangered sea life everywhere. And, to sweeten the super-action, his adventtires are presented as originally seen, with segments featuring The Justice League, The Teen Titans, The Flash, Green Lantern and more! Check it out at Warner Archive Instant!
Marine Boy – Season 1 & 2 (1966-67)
Suit up for some undersea superheroics with Marine Boy, the original “American anime” classic! Produced in Japan but intended for first run in the US, Marine Boy lead the wave that included such color anime classic as Kimba the White Lion and Speed Racer (with whom it shares a number of voice actors). Operating out of the Ocean Patrol Marine Headquarters, superscientist Dr. Mariner has outfitted his stalwart son with all the aquatic accoutrements he will need in his quest to keep the seas safe for all mankind. From Oxy-Gum and bulletproof wet suit to flying subs and propeller shoes, Marine Boy has what it takes to face a variety of fearsome foes above and below the ocean¹s surface. Check it out at Warner Archive Instant!
Click on the links below to discuss certain titles mentioned in the press release above. Stay tuned for further updates right here at The World’s Finest.
–Discuss Young Justice: Season One Blu-ray at The DC Animation Forum!
–Discuss Batman: The Brave And The Bold – The Complete Second Season Blu-ray at The DC Animation Forum!
–Discuss Beware The Batman at The DC Animation Forum!
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Toonami Announces Marathon Send-Off For Final “Beware The Batman” Episodes
In a last-minute schedule change, the Toonami programming block on Adult Swim will be airing the final seven episodes of Beware The Batman this Saturday, September 27th, 2014 starting at 2:30am (ET/PT) and running until 6:00am (ET/PT). According to representatives from Toonami, the programmers behind the block were informed early Monday, today, that Beware the Batman is being financially written off by Cartoon Network as of the end of the month. So, the programmers behind the fan-friendly Toonami programming block have decided to air all the remaining episodes before the show is no longer available for network broadcast. This comes less than a week after Adult Swim, the counterpart network for Cartoon Network, announced the Beware the Batman would be moving to an earlier timeslot.
Representatives are calling this event “one last Bat-blowout” for fans of the acclaimed, under-rated CG animated series. The show will not be part of the Toonami programming block starting October 4th, 2014. Continue below for an episode rundown of the special marathon.
Beware the Batman “Doppelganger”
Airing at 2:30am (ET/PT) on September 27th, 2014
Batman and Katana encounter a strange Man Bat creature, who is the experimental result of Pyg and Toad’s animal army of mutated humans.
Beware the Batman “Unique”
Airing at 3:00am (ET/PT) on September 27th, 2014
An old friend of Bruce Wayne’s comes to him for help, when her father has been cloned by a mysterious organization to create an army of super soldier manhunters.
Beware the Batman “Hero”
Airing at 3:30am (ET/PT) on September 27th, 2014
Desperate to rid the city of Batman, Harvey Dent allies with Anarky, who recruits a new hero to take Batman’s place… the hired killer Deathstroke.
Beware the Batman “Choices”
Airing at 4:00am (ET/PT) on September 27th, 2014
When Batman and Katana are ambushed in the Gotham subway by Killer Croc, it’s up to Barbara Gordon to save them. Only one problem: Barbara’s on a date.
Beware the Batman “Epitaph”
Airing at 4:30am (ET/PT) on September 27th, 2014
When Bruce Wayne is “assassinated” by Batman, he lets the world think he’s dead and goes in search of the imposter – the Bad Batman.
Beware the Batman “Twist”
Airing at 5:00am (ET/PT) on September 27th, 2014
Batman continues to work in secret to find answers, while Harvey Dent recovers in Gotham Hospital. Blaming Batman for everything, he enacts martial law in Gotham.
Beware the Batman “Alone”
Airing at 5:30am (ET/PT) on September 27th, 2014
When Alfred is taken hostage by Deathstroke in the Batcave, Batman must face him alone. Harvey Dent reveals his true nature as Two-Face.
Adult Swim, representatives of which said the network was committed to airing all 26 episodes of the Beware The Batman animated series, will stay true to it’s claim thanks to this last-minute Toonami “Bat-blowout” marathon. The CG-animated series originally aired on Cartoon Network as part of the now-defunct DC Nation programming block, but was removed from the schedule in October 2013 for unexplained reasons.
Click here to view the The World’s Finest Beware The Batman subsite. The subsite features videos, images, and exclusive content not available anywhere else. The section is regularly updated with new content, including screengrabs and reviews.
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Video Clip, Images For Next Week’s New Episode Of “Teen Titans Go!”
Cartoon Network has provided The World’s Finest with stills and a video clip from the new Teen Titans Go! episode “Sandwich Thief,” airing Thursday, September 25th, 2014 at 6:00pm (ET/PT). The half-hour comedy/adventure series – which features two 15-minute episodes – airs Thursdays at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network, with rebroadcasts airing at select times during the week. Teen Titans Go! follows the comedic adventures of the teenage superhero team as they deal with what happens between the major battles. The new Teen Titans Go! segment “Sandwich Thief” will be paired with a broadcasting of a previously-aired episode.
View a clip from the new Teen Titans Go! episode in the video player below, followed underneath by a selection of still images.
Teen Titans Go!
“Sandwich Thief” airs Thursday, September 25th, 2014 at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network
Someone has stolen Robin’s perfect sandwich, and he’s on the hunt to find it.
Teen Titans Go! © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Teen Titans and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics
Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network, with rebroadcasts airing throughout the week. Stay tuned for further updates and more right here at The World’s Finest.
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Teletoon Schedules Animated “Batman: Year One” Feature To Air This Week
The Canadian network Teletoon is slated to air the Batman: Year One animated feature as part of the network’s “Teletoon at Night Superfan Movies” programming block on Friday, September 19th, 2014 at 9:00pm (ET/PT). The animated feature, part of the ongoing DC Universe Animated Orignal Movie line, adapts the acclaimed Batman comic book storyline written by Frank Miller of the same name. The weekly “Teletoon at Night Superfan Movies” programming block on Teletoon, airing Fridays starting at 9:00pm (ET/PT), features a mix of super-hero and sci-fi-based movies, both live-action and animated.
Batman: Year One features Ben McKenzie, who plays Detective James Gordon in the new live-action FOX series Gotham, as the voice of Batman. Official details on the Batman: Year One animated feature, released by Teletoon, are available below.
Batman: Year One
Teletoon, Friday, September 19th, 2014 at 9:00pm (ET/PT)
Batman: Year One is based on the landmark 1987 DC Comics titles from 12-time Eisner Award winner Frank Miller and illustrator David Mazzucchelli. The film depicts young Bruce Wayne’s return to Gotham City in his first attempts to fight injustice as a costumed vigilante. The playboy billionaire chooses the guise of a giant bat to combat crime, creates an early bond with a young Lieutenant James Gordon (who is already battling corruption from inside the police department), inadvertently plays a role in the birth of Catwoman, and helps to bring down a crooked political system that infests Gotham.
Complete details on the direct-to-video Batman: Year One animated feature can be found at the Batman: Year One subsite here at The World’s Finest. Batman: Year One airs Friday, September 19th, 2014, 2014 at 9:00pm (ET/PT) on Teletoon.
Stay tuned for further updates right here at The World’s Finest.
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Press Release For “Justice League: Gods And Monsters Chronicles” Animated Shortform Series
The World’s Finest received the press release for the freshly-announced Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles shortform animated series, set to debut in 2015 on the Machinima digital content outlet. The animated series is based on the Justice League: Gods and Monsters animated feature, one of the DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles currently slated for 2015, which will feature an original story starring the premiere DC Comics superhero team. No images or details on the animated feature’s story have been revealed as of yet.
Continue below for the press release announcing the Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles shortform animated series.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS AND MONSTERS CHRONICLES
THREE-PART ANIMATED SHORTFORM SERIES FROM BRUCE TIMM AND ALAN BURNETT
FEATURES BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN AND SUPERMAN IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE
In the first programming collaboration since Warner Bros.’ investment in Machinima earlier this year, the global many 2 many programming service for fanboys and videogamers announced today that it has greenlit the new animated shortform series Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles, from Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett (both producers of the legendary Batman: The Animated Series). The digital series is based on Justice League: Gods & Monsters, an original animated film executive produced by Timm and co-produced by Burnett that will be released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment later in 2015. Chronicles will focus on alternate versions of DC Comics’ iconic Justice League members Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
“Ever since we announced the Warner Bros. strategic investment, we have been looking for a new and exciting way to tap into the company’s unmatched content. With Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles, Machinima will be the very first place fans can experience a new vision for DC Comics’ beloved Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman characters. In addition, we have built a first-of-its-kind package for brands to engage with these characters to reach Machinima’s elusive audience,” stated Chad Gutstein, Machinma’s CEO.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles marks the first project from Warner Bros.’ newly formed digital content production unit, headed up by Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series.
Sam Register said: “We couldn’t be happier to be announcing our first new digital series today, and we’re even more excited that it’s a collaboration with such accomplished storytellers as Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, who have been responsible for some of the most innovative and creative DC Universe projects. We can’t wait for fans to have a chance to see the world they have created when Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles debuts on Machinima next year.”
“We are committed to delivering DC Entertainment’s extensive line-up of world-class characters and stories to audiences across all platforms and formats,” stated DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson. “Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles is an exciting opportunity to bring alternate versions of DC Comics’ iconic Justice League characters to Machinima, and we look forward to bringing this new animated shortform series to life with our partners across Warner Bros.”
Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles explores a newly conceived reality in the DC Universe where Justice League members Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are much darker versions of the Super Heroes that people think they know. The episodes are expected to debut on Machinima in spring 2015, weeks before the launch of the film. More details on each episode of Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles will be released in the upcoming months.
About Machinima
Machinima is the first global many 2 many programming service for fanboys and videogamers. One of the top entertainment networks on YouTube, Machinima delivers more than 3.13 billion video views per month and reaches more than 150 million viewers monthly. The network programs topical, gaming and story driven content featuring original scripted series, weekly and daily shows, official publisher content, and gameplay videos, all reaching the coveted 18-34 and 18-49 millennial male-skewing demographic. The company is headquartered in West Hollywood, California and backed by MK Capital, Redpoint Ventures, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Google Capital. For more information, please visit www.Machinima.com and YouTube.com/Machinima.
About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.
Please note the image above is not from nor represents the Justice League: Gods and Monsters animated feature or the Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles shortform animated series.
The Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles shortform animated series will debut on the Machinima digital content outlet in 2015. Additionally, its source material – the Justice League: Gods and Monsters animated feature – will also debut in 2015 from DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Stay tuned for additional details on both upcoming animated projects right here at The World’s Finest.
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Christopher Jones Talks New “Parallel Man” Series, Working On Animated DC Comics Titles
The World’s Finest caught up with artist Christopher Jones to discuss Parallel Man: Invasion America, a new science fiction adventure comic book series from FutureDude Entertainment, and how his work on the Young Justice comic series – and other animated DC Comics titles – prepared him for this upcoming project. Jones has a long history with DC Comics, particularly when it comes to the animated adventures of the World’s Greatest Superheroes. And now, with Parallel Man: Invasion America #1 hitting shelves in comic book stores nationwide on October 8th, 2014, Jones is ready to take it to the next level. Continue on to the Q & A below to hear more from Jones himself!
The World’s Finest: First, before we go any further, can you give us a quick rundown on Parallel Man and why fans of your DC Comics work might want to check it out?
Christopher Jones: Parallel Man: Invasion America is a 7-issue mini-series about parallel worlds with a cast of great characters, lots of action and adventure, and a ton of cool gadgets and vehicles. The basic idea is that instead of a breakthrough that led to atomic weapons and power, another America breached the dimension barrier, gaining the ability to travel to parallel Earths. That America didn’t just win the war but dominated the globe, and by 2014 is known as the Ascendancy and controls an empire of 11 parallel Earths. As the Ascendency is about to move to annex our Earth, intelligence agent Nick Morgan goes rogue. He is being chased by Mackenzie Cartwright, who’s possibly my favorite character in the book.
For all the advanced technology the Ascendancy has accumulated from the worlds they’ve conquered and absorbed, their culture hasn’t really evolved since just after World War II because they’ve never really left their war footing. The Civil Rights movement never happened there. No advancement in the rights of women in their society. The general who created the dimension-hopping technology became president and founded a dynasty. The current Ascendancy president is his grandson, and his daughter Mackenzie Cartwright is his only child. She’s the heir-apparent in a man’s world, and serves as the only woman in an all-male military. Furthermore, she commands the Hellfighters – an all-black unit of commandos in the segregated Ascendancy military. It’s Mackenzie Cartwright and the Hellfighters who are sent after Nick Morgan when he goes rogue, in a chase that starts on our Earth and travels to the super-industrialized ChinaAmerica, to a world where the dinosaurs were never wiped out, and to a world where the only lifeform is a toxic fungus. And that’s just part of the first issue!
Each issue introduces new worlds and new characters, including the Scavengers – a group existing on the world that’s the dumping ground for all the undesirables from the Ascendancy worlds. We meet the Illinis Native American tribe on a world where Europeans never came to North America. And most importantly, we meet the Futurists – a group of scientists leading a resistance movement against the Ascendancy, trying to reclaim the technology they helped create from the imperialistic regime that is abusing it.
I think it’s all very cool and smart and exciting. The story is by Jeffrey Morris and Fredrick Haugen. Character designs are by myself with concept art by Eric Chu who worked on the new Battlestar Galactica, and the color on the book is by Zac Atkinson who I worked with on Young Justice.
In addition to the 7-issue comic, we’ve got games in development and are in production on a 12-minute pilot for an animated version which should be available online later in October. John Cho (Star Trek) is voicing Nick Morgan, Ming-Na Wen (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) is voicing Mackenzie Cartwright, and Lance Reddick (Fringe) is voicing Atlas, an AI assistant to Nick Morgan who becomes an interesting character in its own right. It all starts when issue #1 of Parallel Man: Invasion America launches on Wednesday, October 8th, 2014. It’s available for pre-order through Diamond now at your local comic book retailer, and will be available digitally on Comixology.
WF: How would you compare your work on Parallel Man to your previous works?
CJ: I’ve drawn different books in a wide variety of styles over the years. Many of the titles I’ve worked on in recent years which I’m best known for were based on animation properties (Young Justice, The Batman Strikes!, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes), and were drawn to resemble the show on which they were based. Other books I’ve done such as Batman ’66, Kolchak, and Re-Animator have been based on live-action films or TV shows. There I was trying to capture likenesses of lead actors and to evoke the look and feel of the show as much as possible. Other superhero comics I’ve done have been fill-ins or short one-off stories that didn’t seem well-suited for departing from what had gone before so I was just trying to draw versions of those characters that were rooted in what had gone immediately before.
So here, finally, is a chance to draw a comic that is it’s own thing. When I came onto this project there had already been some concept art done by Eric Chu (Battlestar: Galactica) and some vehicle design had been done, but I got to design all the characters from scratch, as well as uniforms, locations, props, all kinds of things. I’ve said that my Young Justice work was moving in the direction of being in “my own style” while still being anchored by the character designs from the show. Here now is a chance to see what my own style looks like unfiltered by other artists’ designs from an animated TV show!
And this is a sci-fi series about traveling to parallel worlds, so there’s been a lot of fun design work to be done in creating the different locations the story takes us to.
WF: Parallel Man is currently undergoing a bit of a media push, with games, soundtracks and merchandise. Can you explain to us the appeal of this character and why he deserves a little attention?
CJ: We’ve got a number of characters, actually. Despite the very singular-sounding Parallel Man title, even our lead character has two different aspects in this story! We are introduced to Nicholas Morgan (our Earth’s version of agent Nick Morgan). Nicholas is for from a super-spy; he’s a gamer geek who lives with his Grandfather Tobias, who has a connection to the Futurists and may just be the key to everything that is happening.
Parallel Man is packed with so many interesting ideas! The parallel worlds concept gives us so much to explore and has such limitless possibilities. So yes, we’re doing a 7-issue comic book mini-series to begin with. If it’s successful, we’d love to continue on from there. FutureDude is also developing a collectable deck card game and a mobile device/tablet game that are based on the concepts of Parallel Man and based on the look of the comic.
I also got to help develop and do storyboards for a 12-minute animation being produced as a pilot for the animated Parallel Man TV series we’d love to do. After years of clarifying that I worked on the Young Justice comic book but not on the TV show, I’d finally be able to say “Yes, I worked on the show!” The animation pilot will be available on-line in October, and a trailer is available right now.
WF: For fans who know you just from your animated comic work, why do you think they should give your work on Parallel Man a shot?
CJ: I think we’ve got a great-looking book with a ton of story packed into every issue. And if they liked my art on comics based on animated TV shows, here’s a chance to be a fan of the comic before the TV show happens! “Hey, I was a fan of Parallel Man before it was cool!” (Too late, it’s already cool.)
WF: Do you see a natural evolution to your artwork and storytelling abilities, looking at your older work to now? Do you tell stories differently (more panels, less, and so forth)?
CJ: So much changes depending on the needs of a particular project. The first issue of Parallel Man was already fully scripted when I came on board, with the rest of the series existing as an outline. For subsequent issues I’ve been doing layouts based on those outlines, giving me much more control over the visual storytelling. I’ve been trying to give the visuals a really cinematic flavor and have tried to limit the number of panels per page. Every time we go to a new location I try to do a big cinematic establishing shot, but it’s a real balancing act. We cover a lot of story in each issue and each page has to move the story forward.
But I think the projects I’ve done in the past have definitely had a lasting influence on my style and how I tell a story. My work has definitely become much more dynamic and expressive since doing so much animation-based work. A cartoonier drawing style I really think lets you focus more attention on the composition and design of a page. I like my action scenes to really move.
WF: How do you compare some of your earliest gigs to your current and upcoming work? Is it hard to believe just how far you’ve come in the last decade (give or take)?
CJ: It’s been a strange career trajectory if you go back more than a decade to my pre-DC Comics work. I started out drawing a lot of crime, horror and adventure comics. I really don’t have any professional superhero credits before the work I did for DC and Marvel. I was doing stuff like the Re-Animator movie adaptation, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and some other properties you likely wouldn’t know. The thing that got my foot in the door at DC were some samples I’d done for Warner Brothers Animation, which got me some fill-in work on Young Heroes in Love, a series DC was doing that was drawn in a fairly cartoony style. And that let to more and more in the same vein. And while I love all that material, especially The Batman Strikes! and Young Justice, I was getting to be known pretty exclusively for that kind of thing. It’s like getting typecast as an actor. You might be able to play more than one kind of role, but if that’s all you ever get offered, it’s all you’ll ever get the chance to do. So it’s exciting to get a chance to do something that’s removed from all that both in terms of visual style and subject matter.
WF: The Young Justice fanbase has been really loyal to the creators involved in both the television series and supporting comic. What is it about the characters and the fans that inspire such loyalty?
CJ: Aside from just being really well done, Young Justice offered strongly character-driven writing that with rich relationships between the characters. You saw those characters and relationships tested and changed by the adventures they had. That encourages a degree of investment in those characters from the audience you don’t often get in superhero material. Young Justice also had a remarkably large and diverse cast of characters – ethnic diversity and really strong female characters which is much rarer than it should be. When someone sees themselves represented in the cast of a show that’s huge. Young Justice offered a lot on so many levels. I was a huge fan of the TV show and was really proud of the work we did in the companion comic as well.
I really love the Young Justice fans. Meeting the Young Justice cosplayers and other fans as I travel to conventions continues to be such a joy for me. It’s really the gift from my association with that series that keeps on giving.
WF: Can you give us a rundown of your upcoming convention appearances? Let us know where we can find you!
CJ: Here are the rest of my appearances for 2014:
Cincinatti Comic Expo
September 19-21, 2014 – Cincinnati, OH
MCBA FallCon Comic Book Celebration
October 4, 2014 – St. Paul, MN
New York Comic Con
October 9-12, 2014 – NYC, New York
Grand Rapids Comic-Con
November 21-23, 2014 – Grand Rapids, MI
You can always find a list of my upcoming appearances at my official website.
WF: To wrap this up, can you give us one last sell on why Parallel Man: Invasion America #1 must be checked out when it hits shelves on Wednesday, October 8th, 2014?
CJ: The artwork is by my with color by my Young Justice collaborator Zac Atkinson. I think we’ve got some amazing world-building with a series jam-packed full of action and sci-fi concepts. And did I mention that the leader of the Futurists is a parallel world version of Carl Sagan, and that Carl’s real-world son Dorion Sagan is our scientific advisor for the comic book? It’s pretty cool stuff.
If you can’t find Parallel Man at your local comic shop, ask them to order it through Diamond. Otherwise, you can get it in digital form through Comixology! You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for your time, Chris!
Parallel Man: Invasion America #1 is will be available at comic shops and for digital download on Wednesday, October 8th, 2014, from FutureDude Entertainment. The title currently is available for pre-order. Further updates on Jones and his assorted projects can be found at Christopher Jones Comic Art & Illustrations Blog.
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“Beware The Batman” Moves To New Timeslot Starting October 2014
The CG-animated series Beware The Batman will move up thirty minutes on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block starting Saturday, October 4th, 2014. The cartoon’s new timeslot will be Saturday nights at 2:00am (ET/PT), the change due to a program shift in the fan-favorite block found on Cartoon Network’s counterpart channel Adult Swim. The timeslot change was confirmed by the network. The series, while not the highest-rated program in the massive programming block, ranks first in its timeslot among male-dominated demographics. Beware The Batman‘s current timeslot is Saturday nights at 2:30am (ET/PT).
The tentative episode schedule for Beware The Batman‘s timeslot debut on October 4th, 2014 is “Unique,” followed by “Hero” on Saturday, October 11th, 2014. Beware The Batman features The Dark Knight facing off against Gotham City’s criminal underworld with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana.
The CG-animated series originally aired on Cartoon Network as part of the now-defunct DC Nation programming block, but was removed from the schedule in October 2013 for unexplained reasons. After a lengthy hiatus, the show joined the Toonami programming block on Adult Swim back in May 2014, details of which can be found here. Representatives for Adult Swim state the network is committed to airing all 26 episodes.
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Warner Bros. Home Entertainment passed over both the following promotional video and press release announcing new details on an upcoming exciting home video event!
WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS ADAM WEST,
BATMAN: THE COMPLETE TELEVISION SERIES BACK TO GOTHAM FOR NEW YORK COMIC CON
Spotlight on Beloved Actor and Highly-Anticipated Details for
Blu-Ray/DVD Release at Thursday, October 9 Panel
Holy Bat Panels!
Fans will get all the details on the most anticipated home entertainment release in fanboy history when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment puts Adam West center-stage for a Bat-tastic look at Batman: The Complete TV Series during a special Thursday, October 9 panel at New York Comic Con.
Starting at 6:45pm on the Main Stage in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, fans in attendance – and those live-streaming the panel at home – will get an inside sneak peak at all the exclusive content in this long-awaited home entertainment release, as well as dazzling HD remastered footage from the landmark series.
Batman: The Complete TV Series will be released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as a Limited Edition Box Set, and on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, starting November 11, 2014.
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Details For December 2014 “Teen Titans Go!,” “Beware The Batman” DC Comics Titles
DC Comics has officially announced details for the new December 2014 issue of Teen Titans Go!, the bi-monthly all-ages comic series from DC Entertainment. The Teen Titans Go! comic book title, based on the Cartoon Network ratings hit of the same name, collects two 10-page stories per issue. Each 10-page story is initially released monthly exclusively through digital outlets, including the DC Comics’ online store and Comixology, before being published for print every two months. Details for the upcoming print issue of Teen Titans Go! can be found below.
TEEN TITANS GO! #7
Written by SHOLLY FISCH and MERRILL HAGAN
Art by BEN BATES and JORGE CORONA
Cover by DAN HIPP
On sale DECEMBER 17 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E
When Starfire develops a massive crush on the latest teen pop sensation, Robin will stop at nothing to recapture her attention – even if he must become a teen idol himself! Plus: Cyborg gets an awesome new jacket!
Boo-yah!
Teen Titans Go!, the animated program of which the bi-monthly title from DC Comics title is based, airs Thursdays at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network, with rebroadcasts airing throughout the week on Cartoon Network.
Continuing, DC Comics has also released details for an upcoming Beware The Batman trade paperback collection. The new Beware The Batman, Volume One collection includes all six issues of the short-lived comic book spin-off based on the CG-animated Cartoon Network animated series of the same name. Official details can be found be found below.
BEWARE THE BATMAN VOL. 1 TP
Written by IVAN COHEN, MATTHEW K. MANNING, SCOTT BEATTY and MIKE W. BARR
Art by LUCIANO VECCHIO and DARIO BRIZUELA
Cover by LUCIANO VECCHIO
On sale JANUARY 21 • 144 pg, FC, $12.99 US
In this all-ages title based on the Cartoon Network series, Bruce Wayne and his butler, former secret spy Alfred Pennyworth, take on Gotham City’s worst evildoers! Batman’s skills will be put to the test against villains Professor Pyg, Man-Bat, Tobias Whale and more in stories from issues #1-6.
Beware The Batman, Volume One, a six-issue trade paperback collection from DC Comics, is slated to hit shelves come January 21st, 2015 for $12.99US. Beware The Batman airs Saturdays at 2:30am (ET/PT) as part of the Toonami programming block on Adult Swim.
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Images, Video Clip From Next Week’s New Episode Of “Teen Titans Go!”
Cartoon Network has provided The World’s Finest with stills and a clip from the new Teen Titans Go! episode “Caramel Apples,” airing Thursday, September 18th, 2014 at 6:00pm (ET/PT). The half-hour comedy/adventure animated series – which features two 15-minute episodes – airs Thursdays at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network, with rebroadcasts airing at select times during the week. Teen Titans Go! follows the comedic adventures of the DC Comics teenage superhero team as they deal with what happens between the major battles. The new Teen Titans Go! segment “Caramel Apples” will be paired with a broadcasting of a previously-aired episode.
View a clip from the new Teen Titans Go! episode in the video player below, followed underneath by a selection of still images.
Teen Titans Go!
“Caramel Apples” airs Thursday, September 18th, 2014 at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network
Trigon arrives to wreck the Earth, but only because his daughter Raven didn’t get him anything for Father’s Day. Starfire misses the fatherly relationship, so she starts spending time with Trigon.
Teen Titans Go! © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Teen Titans and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics
Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6:00pm (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network, with rebroadcasts airing throughout the week. Stay tuned for further updates and more right here at The World’s Finest.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.