The classic Batman: The Animated Series episodes “Christmas with the Joker” and “Holiday Knights” are scheduled to air as part of special holiday-programming on The Hub network. Both episodes feature Batman and his supporting cast facing off against villains with a holiday backdrop. The Hub will air the episodes back-to-back as part of a holiday programming event on Tuesday, December 25th, 2012 starting at 7:00pm (ET/PT). Official details, including airdates, are included below.
Batman the Animated Series – “Christmas with the Joker” Tuesday, December 25th, 2012 at 7:00pm on The Hub
The Joker takes over Gotham’s airwaves and terrorizes the city during Christmas. Holding Commissioner Gordon, Detective Bullock, and Summer Gleason hostage, he challenges Batman to find him before midnight, or else the hostages will have a very un-merry Christmas.
Batman the Animated Series – “Holiday Knights” Tuesday, December 25th, 2012 at 7:30pm on The Hub
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy kidnap Bruce Wayne with Ivy’s hypnotic lipstick, and use his credit cards to treat themselves to a Christmas shopping spree; Bullock and Montoya stake out a Gotham Department Store for pick pockets, but in actuality, it turns out to be the return of Clayface; Joker plans to kill all the people celebrating in Gotham Square on New Year’s Eve with a sonic weapon. It is up to Batman and Robin to stop him before the stroke of midnight.
Batman: The Animated Series airs regularly Monday – Thursday at 7:00pm (ET/PT) on The Hub, with additional airings throughout the week.
The Hub, a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc., features original programming as well as content from Discovery’s library of children’s educational programming; from Hasbro’s portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built during the past 90 years; and from leading third-party producers worldwide. The Hub lineup includes animated and live-action series, specials and game shows, with the network extending its content through a robust and engaging online presence. The Hub launched on Sunday, October 10th, 2010, reaching approximately 60 million U.S. households.
Further details on Batman: The Animated Series is available at The World’s Finest. Stay tuned for further updates and coverage right here at The World’s Finest.
The classic two-part Ra’s Al Ghul-focused Batman: The Animated Series episode “The Demon’s Quest” is set to air next week on The Hub. The two-part episode brings Batman face-to-face with the global terrorist Ra’s Al Ghul and his daughter Talia. The episodes originally aired in 1993. Batman: The Animated Series joined The Hub schedule in Fall 2011 . Continue below for specific episode details.
Batman: The Animated Series December 3rd, 2012 at 7:00pm (ET/PT) – “The Demon’s Quest, Part One”
When Robin is mysteriously abducted from his college campus, the Batman begins a fruitless search … until he is astounded by the sudden appearance in the Batcave of Ra’s Al Ghul. Ra’s quickly reveals that his daughter, Talia, has been abducted under circumstances similar to Robin’s, suggesting that the same persons are responsible. So begins an uneasy truce between the Batman and ‘The Demon’.
Batman: The Animated Series
December 3rd, 2012 at 7:30pm (ET/PT) – “The Demon’s Quest, Part Two”
After freeing Talia from her father’s clutches and escaping from an avalanche, Batman and Robin follow the only clue they have – the word ‘Orpheus’. After discovering that ‘Orpheus’ is Ra’s private satelite that will orbit over the Sahara, the duo travel to the Demon’s desert stronghold. There, Batman learns that the satellite is actually a weapon which will explosively destroy all the Lazarus Pits simultaneously, throughout the world, destroying all the life that exists.
Batman: The Animated Series airs regularly Monday – Thursday at 7:00pm (ET/PT) on The Hub, with additional airings throughout the week.
The Hub, a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc., features original programming as well as content from Discovery’s library of children’s educational programming; from Hasbro’s portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built during the past 90 years; and from leading third-party producers worldwide. The Hub lineup includes animated and live-action series, specials and game shows, with the network extending its content through a robust and engaging online presence. The Hub launched on Sunday, October 10th, 2010, reaching approximately 60 million U.S. households.
Further details on Batman: The Animated Series is available at The World’s Finest. Stay tuned for further updates and coverage right here at The World’s Finest.
Continue below to view the menu screens from the recent Batman: Super Villains – Catwoman and Batman: Super Villains – Killer Croc single-disc compilation DVD titles. The DVD releases, priced low and marketed as impulse purchases, collect three episodes from Batman: The Animated Series featuring a specific villain. No additional bonus content is added. Both titles were released earlier this month. Click on the thumbnails below to view the menu screens. Official press details are also below.
Batman Super Villains: Catwoman
Synopsis: From the shadows of Gotham City emerges one of Batman’s most deceptive foes, Catwoman. A cunning jewel thief with an agenda of her own, Catwoman holds a mysterious allure for the Caped Crusader, an allure that can be deadly! Pick up the trail with 3 exciting episodes starting with The Cat and the Claw, Part One. Batman foils Catwoman trying to steal a valuable necklace she intends to sell to buy a mountain lion preserve, but it seems a certain underworld group, led by the mysterious Red Claw, has its sights set on the same piece of land. With Batman and Catwoman forced to work together in The Cat and the Claw, Part Two, the unlikely duo has their hands full in a showdown with Red Claw. Finally, witness Batgirl Returns, as Barbara Gordon once again dons the mask of Batgirl to investigate the theft of a prized jade statue only to find Catwoman already on the case. Together, with a secret ally in tow, they unravel a mystery with far greater implications. So, crack the whip and steal away to Gotham City for some adventure with Batman and Catwoman!
Episodes: The Cat and The Claw Part 1, The Cat and The Claw Part 2, Batgirl Returns
Batman Super Villains: Killer Croc
Synopsis: Lurking in the sewers of Gotham City is Killer Croc, a terrifying half-crocodile man with a craving for crime. In Vendetta, Killer Croc has kidnapped a key witness set to testify in an important trial, and it’s up to Batman to save the day. Even criminals need a friend in Love Is a Croc when a washed-up TV actress named Baby-Doll takes a liking to Killer Croc. They make a home in the sewer and become partners in crime – but Batman, along with Batgirl, has other plans for them. Judgment Day introduces a faceless vigilante who calls himself The Judge and wreaks havoc upon Gotham’s super villains. Can Batman unmask this mysterious Judge and save the lives of the very super villains he has fought to jail? Take the plunge into the depths of Gotham City for killer adventures with Batman and Killer Croc!
Episodes: Vendetta, Love is a Croc, Judgement Day
Stay tuned for further updates on other home titles from Warner Home Video spotlighting DC Comics characters here soon at he World’s Finest.
Having just celebrated its 20th anniversary last month, Batman: The Animated Series‘ pivotal role in the world of animation remains uncontested to this day. Based on the characters from DC Comics, Batman: The Animated Series brought in a wealth of talented professionals and creators, resulting in an unforgettable experience that revolutionized television animation and brought a stunning new look to the legendary Caped Crusader. Among its eclectic cast of talent, to vast here to list, the series was developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. Both with a unique set of visual talents, Timm and Radomski ended up creating a landmark visual style for the series that, in effect, would still remain a heavy influence in animation to this very day. Timm and Radomski laid the groundwork for what would become the most revered superhero animated series of all-time.
The World’s Finest has the opportunity to talk to Producer Eric Radomski about his time on Batman: The Animated Series and much more…
The World’s Finest: I guess we’ll start with the basics. You’ve stated before that, before Batman: The Animated Series, you weren’t really a Batman fan. What drew you to this series and how did you prepare for it? Was it just another animation gig, or did you know something special was being created?
Eric Radomiski: Tim Burton’s Batman movie was my first exposure to the dark side of the character and his world, like most of us comic book illiterates, I’d only known the campy 1960’s TV interpretation which I watched mostly because my viewing options were limited at that time… As an adult, I came to appreciate that series for what it was. As a kid, I recall it being rather annoying and unfortunately the likely reason I avoided comics all together thinking that all comics would be as lame as that series… I was wrong.
Ironically I’d been ‘preparing for it’ all along, I just didn’t know it…
I began my art career with illusions of becoming a fine-art painter, which exposed me to countless concepts, techniques, and styles, I studied and practiced continuously until reality stepped in and finances forced me to pursue illustration, the kind of painting that actually pays the bills. All along, I maintained my fascination and experimentation with animation and at a certain point my interests converged.
Specific to Batman: The Animated Series; I had been working on Tiny Toon Adventures as a background painter two years prior to the birth of Batman: The Animated Series. Toward the end of Tiny Toon‘s run, WB opened up animation development on several WB-owned properties. I contributed development art on all of the titles they offered purely to participate, with hopes of sustaining my employment. That said, the Batman movie struck a personal and artistic cord in me… A blend of Impressionism, Catholicism and 70’s Illustrators – Fuchs, Peak, English to name a few – along with the [Max] Fleischer’s Superman series seemed to be the special sauce I thought Batman: The Animated Series needed to distinguish itself from most of the previous action adventure shows I’d experienced.
WF: Starting off, you stated that you and Bruce Timm were somewhat inexperienced as producers. Did that cause any problems early on, perhaps with other writers or editors working on the series? How did you overcome that to make the show as consistent in tone as it eventually became?
ER: In hind site, the 90-second test Bruce Timm and I created truly ‘sealed the deal’ as far as he and I working on the series… simply because we got it done and it looked so different. Even upon completion he and I thought we’d be art directors at best and we were fine with that. It was a bit of a shock when Jean MacCurdy, President of WB Animation at that time asked us to be the series producers and that WB wanted to produce 65 episodes right out of the gate. I swear, we must have looked like classic WB characters, stunned ‘jaw to the floor’ expressions. We thought “what the hell, the worst that can happen is they’ll fire us” and off we went.
The first few months were a bit clumsy as Timm and I were asked to work with two writer producers that were talented enough but didn’t really share our vision. Nor did they seem comfortable to collaborate with two newbies like us. I believe Jean recognized our passion and vision for the series and realized that was too important to sacrifice. Fortunately, she had the brilliant idea to introduce us to the shows narrative hero – Alan Burnett. Alan brought maturity, experience and collaboration to the team and that seemed to calm down any hesitation that remained. 85 episodes and a 70-minute film later we all stepped back in awe of the unique opportunity we’d all just experienced. Great memories and the start of several outstanding careers for many of the artists that were part of this series.
WF: As a follow-up to the previous question, while the show hit a consistent tone with story, there were obvious fluctuations with the animation and the different studios used. Did you ever see that as an issue, and did this cause any problems with what you wanted the show to achieve visually?
ER: The production design met resistance with all of our oversea’s studios, simply because our series was like nothing else they’d worked on. Some studios had more difficulty adapting to the style then others. We made every effort to help each studio understand the style. i believed from the beginning that if embraced, this style would prove to be simpler, more efficient, and serve to deliver a better looking product overall. Considering we had up to seven studios in four different countries working simultaneously for two years, our ratio of good versus average looking episodes was very high all things considered.
The series would look amazing using today’s technology. Reminder – BTAS was a traditional 2D production. Hand-made, shot on film with no digital assistance outside of the final music and sound effects mix. The days of hand-painted animation cels is quickly becoming a style of the past. Hang on to those series cels … the market will return sometime soon.
WF: Visually, your impact on Batman: The Animated Seriesis readily apparent. The black backgrounds and the title cards are two highly important visuals from the first 85 episodes that are basically owed to you. Can you run us through why you opted to use the black backgrounds, and how you came up with the idea for the title cards?
ER: Claude Monet, Bernie Fuchs, Coppola, Fleischer’s Superman – All had a technical impact on the concept of starting in the dark and coaxing the imagery out with light and color. It’s a visual storytelling technique that allows the viewers imagination to fill in the blanks.
From a production standpoint, I felt the technique allowed us to suggest more detail and atmosphere then actually existed (or we could afford), and it was easily transferable so that we could maintain consistency amongst all the hands involved.
WF: How did your experience in animation help you as executive producer for this series? Did that help you become so hands-on for this show? Why? Would you say your background allowed for some of the unique offerings of the show, such as the darker palette and more dramatic emphasis?
ER: We all learn by trial and error. My animation experience previous to Batman: The Animated Series was very hands on and from the bottom up. I started as coffee boy, Xerox-clean up, a background artist on commercials in the mid west. I even worked a 16mm Oxberry camera for a while. I earned my way up to assistant animator, board artist and eventually assistant director. I was fairly experienced and prepared for the production of Batman: The Animated Series, I just hadn’t been responsible for the whole process before.
Specific to the ‘darker palette and more dramatic emphasis’ question; that was more personal expression inspired by my maturing tastes for stronger animated content.
WF: This question is likely impossible to answer but, at the time, did you know you and the Batman: The Animated Series creative team was creating something that, even twenty years later, is still an obvious influence when it comes to animation? What are you most proud of about your work on the show?
ER: Agreed, no one could have predicted the lasting success and interest in the series. But I will say after we received the first episode “On Leather Wings,” Timm and I knew we had achieved what we set out to – creating a sophisticated animated series no one had seen since Fleischer’s Superman.
I’m most proud of being part of a team that truly cared about their work, and proved it by committing it to film for the next generation of creators to be inspired, to carry on the art form as we were inspired by the brilliant artists before us.
WF: That being said, is there anything you’d change? Perhaps find ways to push the envelope a little more? Do you think that would even be possible today, especially given the all-ages fanbase?
ER: The digital generation has changed the game completely, good and bad. Batman: The Animated Series would be an even prettier series today, but it’s likely the budgets and patience for a big and bold show like Batman: The Animated Series would be difficult to sell since most studio’s are interested in small investments, quick turnarounds and certain guaranteed high profits. Audience tastes have also shifted to the immediate gratification the internet offers.
That said, I believe in the theory of “quality content is king” and “if we build it they will come.” The past few summer superhero blockbusters give me hope. Digital effects have caught up to the superhero genre, the movies are looking better then ever and more diverse audiences are finding interest in the comic world. I believe its a bit of a rebirth, but time will tell.
WF: Just as an extension of the previous question, and somewhat off-topic, do you think there will be a place for dramatic adult animation here in North America? You worked on HBO’s Spawn and champion the drive for serious adult animation. There are countless animated comedies that air in prime-time, but do you ever think we’ll see an animated drama?
ER: Animation became difficult when it became profitable. The animation industry suffers and struggles equal to live-action television and feature films. As long as you can prove profit will exist, you have a very good chance of making content in any form. South Park is the perfect example. They’ve broken every rule most animators only dream about, considering the restrictions from Broadcast Standards and Practices. But South Park generates huge profits at a very low production cost. An easy sell, all things considered.
Animated drama is a harder sell since the merchandizing needed to accompany it would interest a very narrow audience, which makes financing these types of projects difficult.
WF: Getting back to Batman: The Animated Series, it’s well-know that show has frequent run-in with the network censors. Are there any particularly interesting instances of censorship for the series? Also, did you ever find said restrictions a problem that perhaps held the series back in your view?
ER: Actually the restrictions inspired many clever solutions for us to vent our action-adventure spleens. Watch closely, I promise in one episode you’ll see Robin punch a thug in the crotch … or did he?
One instance that always comes to mind when asked this question, this FOX Broadcast Standards and Practices note and solution: “Characters can not punch each other in the head but they can kick each other in the chest”
To be fair, the networks and studio’s have been badgered into these stupid rules by members of the audience that ignore “against fare warning” and “do not try this at home.” The results have been annoying and expensive, but eventually inspiring to the animators. We always seem to find a work around [laughs]!
WF: I realize this is likely a hard question but…how would you categorize your time and role on Batman: The Animated Series. Many consider you one of the unsung heroes of the series. Would you consider that true? How has your work on Batman: The Animated Series affected your career following it?
ER: Batman: The Animated Series was the pivotal point in my career. It made every other animation opportunity since then possible. I’ve enjoyed and learned from every series I’ve produced. I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to work on such an amazing property with so many incredibly talented artists.
Heroes sacrifice with no intention for reward, but this was no sacrifice. I was vfortunately part of great team that depended on each other working together toward the same goal. We all contributed what we could and all deserve equal credit for what we achieved as a team. Animation is without a doubt a team effort.
WF: Just in general, how do you find the animation landscape has changed since Batman: The Animated Series’s time. Based on your own experiences, do you find it more restricting, more freeing, or does that depend on where you work? And can you see the impact of Batman: The Animated Series even to this day?
ER: These days I often say “production is the easy part.” All the nonsense that has to be dealt with just to get a show started – let alone made – is where a lot of my time is spent. I do it because I love it and I refuse to allow the art form to die, so I make my best effort to work with the restrictions given and make the best show I can. All things considered, there’s no greater satisfaction then making something from nothing and finding an audience that appreciates the effort.
WF: So, the wrap this up with a couple ‘20th anniversary’ questions! First, do you have an absolute favorite episode of Batman: The Animated Series? Care to tell us what it is and why?
ER: “On Leather Wings” was our first born and closest to the vision we were searching for from the start, it defined Batman: The Animated Series.
WF: How do you perceive the legacy of Batman: The Animated Series and its fond remembrance twenty years later?
ER: I was inspired by a few of my favorite animated series when I was a kid. Knowing that so many artists, fans, and followers continue to enjoy and share our Batman: The Animated Series feels like I’ve given back the inspiration and opportunity to the next generation of artists with hopes and dreams of their own to pursue.
WF: Lastly, where can we expect to see your name next. You’re currently working at Marvel Animation, so how has that been going for you and what can we expect to see in the near future from you and Marvel Animation?
ER: Currently I have a rather long title – Senior Vice President of Animation and Development for Marvel Television. I’m responsible for all things Animated from Marvel:
-Season One and Two of Ultimate Spider-Man (season 2 starts in January 2012)
-Season One of Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.
-Season One of Marvel’s Avengers Assemble (which I’m the Supervising Producer of in addition to my overall Studio duties)
We have a few other surprises brewing as well, to say the least. I’m very busy these days and loving every frame of it.
The World’s Finest would like to thank Eric Radomski for participating in this Q & A!
Batman: The Animated Series is currently available on home video, OnDemand, and for legal download, among other outlets. Batman: The Animated Series also currently airs on The Hub, with listing details available through your local television provider. This interview can also be found on The World’s Finest Batman: The Animated Series subsite.
Ultimate Spider-Man currently airs Sundays at 11:30am (ET/PT) as part of the Marvel Universe programming block on Disney XD, with Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. and Marvel’s Avenger’s Assemble joining the block come Summer 2013.
Stay tuned for details for further details here soon at The World’s Finest.
Warner Home Video has released trailers for the upcoming DC Universe Animated Original Movie title Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two, set to hit shelves come Early 2013, and the upcoming direct-to-video feature Lego Batman: The Movie – DC SuperHeroes Unite. Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Superheroes Unite, not part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line but still set for release from Warner Home Video, will also hit shelves come Early 2013. Additional press details have also been provided below. Click on the images below to view trailers for both features in standard definition. Links to high-definition alternatives are also available.
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 2 is the first of three films to
be released as part of the DCU series in 2013. As announced at New
York Comic Con, the 2013 DCU Animated Original Movies slate features:
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 2, the epic animated conclusion
to Frank Miller’s masterpiece. Arrives in early 2013.
Early 2013 … January/February
SUPERMAN: UNBOUND, based on Geoff Johns’ “Superman/Brainiac”
storyline, and streeting in mid-2013.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: FLASHPOINT, based on the 2011 Geoff Johns miniseries
“Flashpoint.” Expected release in the second half of 2013.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two animated feature – the first DC Universe Animated Original Movie for 2013 – arrives Winter/Early 2013 on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download.
Stay tuned for updates on all these projects and more in the coming weeks here soon at The World’s Finest.