Sponsored Links

[Batbrick]

What does everyone think of the new Batman show?
Personally I love it, a perfect translation of the fun Dick Sprang and Silver Age times of Batman. Plus I love that through a popular character (Batman) the creators are giving those who don't know a lot about the DC universe a tour through its lesser known characters (Blue Beetle, Red Tornado, Etrigan etc).

I love the witty atmosphere too, I laughed at loud at several points in each episode.



Thoughts?

[M'Kyuun]

I've seen a couple eps now, and the overall tone is more whimsical/lighthearted than the previous series. It's not a bad show, although i much prefer a darker take on Batman. B:TAS and JL capture his personality best for me. Kevin Conroy really nailed the part and gave the character some grit.

Introducing a lot of obscure characters can be good and bad: good for variety in the show and on the toy shelves; bad because kids may not identify with characters who are introduced in an episode, and never again explored.

Characterization and story plays a surprisingly large role in selling toys, as evidenced by the original Transformers back in the 80's: TF started out as several different toy lines in Japan, but none of them had strong stories and the toy lines failed. Hasbro bought the licenses, crafted a decent story, gave the characters endearing personalities, and the rest is history. On the same note, I think JL:Unlimited didn't do as well as JL b/c of all the new characters...it's what turned me off to it, so I speak from personal experience. I thought JL was an amazing show; there was a surprising amount of maturity in the writing at times that is rare in American animation. If the Brave and Bold writers create an overarching storyline and pepper it with various character appearances, I think it will do better than if it becomes the new-character-introduced-every-episode type of show. My $.02

However, for you, sir, I'm glad you like the show and I hope it builds a fanbase; it'll put some variety into the franchise, and Batman is a character that should endure.

[AgentRick57]

I love it! I can't wait for the episode with Guy Gardner to show up!

[Oky]

Meh, it's alright. Pretty campy atmosphere and nice Ben10-style animation, but not exactly my favorite cartoon out there right now (which would be The Clone Wars ). Batman's sarcastic thoughts about his partners are always very funny!
Its "educational value" (to learn about other DC characters) is partly what makes me keep watching this show. However, most of the heroes Batsy teams up with end up looking like fruitcakes next to the Caped Crusader.
Batman himself is portrait quite well; better than I expected him to be at least. And he has some pretty kickass vehicles and gadgets in this show! Gotta love that seek, amphibious BatWing! Maybe I'll make a MOC of that puppy some day.

It's fun, though, and I'll enjoy watching it (along with the Secret Saturdays) as sort of an appetizer to my beloved Clone Wars every Friday night!

This post has been edited by Oky Wan Kenobi: 10 December 2008 - 08:47 AM

[Lt. Col. Thok]

I like it - It's pretty funny, and the villains are a bit different. I disagree with Green Arrow's design; Where's his beard?

[trooperdavinfelth]

I haven't seen any full episodes yet. It's OK, but there should be more focus on Batman and less of a 'hundreds of superheroes protect the world but if one goes down only Batman can stop the enemy' feel. I'd rather see more intrigue and more plot rather than 'WE GOTTA STOP THE BIG BAD GUY' and attempts at humor stricken throughout the show.

Maybe my sense of humor isn't yours but it's not the good old Animated Series.

[Zarkan]

All I know is I probably won't be able to see a full episode until they release DVDs, as I don't get Cartoon Network. Still, the show seems to be getting good reviews online. One of the best points seems to be that the show knows exactly what it wants to do (campy 60's era batman style), whereas the previous show, The Batman (which I really enjoyed), had sort of an identity crisis, leaping from simplistic action heavy shows to darker and more serious storylines.

Anyway, I just hope that this show is able to put some character into episodes instead of just doing a "teamup and villian of the week with a moral lesson" route. Also, every previous batman show has had multiple appearances of nearly every character they introduce, so I hope they bring back characters frequently. Still, you can't go wrong with camp batman, can you?

[Batbrick]

Sorry for the bump, but a lot of eps have passed and this is quickly on its way to surpassing (wait for it) BTAS as my favourite DC show ever!
Seriously guys, watch the eps on youtube if you have to *cough*account BlueBeetle43*cough*

And now just for hype, an upcoming episode preview has come out, here's the synopsis:
Batman swaps places with Owlman -- his criminal counterpart in an alternate Universe -- to stop the Crime Syndicate from taking over the world. He must team up with the hero Red Hood (who famously becomes the Joker in the real universe) to stop them!
Check it out:


And the Part 2 synopsis:
Meanwhile back on Earth, Owlman has been perpetrating crimes disguised as Batman and assembled all the villains to join him. When Batman returns, he finds himself on the wrong side of the law and hunted by Green Lantern, Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Red Tornado and Plastic Man. It’s a strange twist of fate that leaves Batman with only one option - to team up with Joker and take Owlman and the Crime Syndicate down!




Sorry, that was the sound of me wetting my pants with excitement. A Batman/Joker teamup! I am SO there!

EDIT: sorry for the huge pics, I can just link them if you wish.

Batbrick Away!

[The Penguin]

Well, that sure looks nice! )
I guess, I'll watch it as soon as possible! ) the characters, BTW, look awesome! ) Just like in the silver age. )

Good day, gentlemen! )

[Oky]

Ah, thanks for reviving this thread, Batbrick! I was going to do it at some point, but I guess you beat me to it.
My friend who is a die-hard Batfan like you loves this show as much as you, so we both sit down to watch this along with the Clone Wars every Friday night, and I must say that I find myself liking this show a lot too! It's still a little too campy for me, and BTAS will remain the best DC show of all time for me, but this one definitely has its moments! My favorite episodes so far are the ones where Batsy is transformed into an actual Dark Knight and the one where he joins the Green Lantern core! Those were simply badass!

Thanks for that preview! That's the season finale that starts in a week together with the CW season finale, right? Looks pretty good! I was wondering when the Joker would finally make an appearance. Like Batman, the Joker seems to be stylized after his portrayal in the very first, corny Batman cartoon. He looks weird, and it's too bad he isn't voiced by Mark Hamill (He is the best Joker ever!), but if he has a good personality, I might get used to him. Can't wait for these episodes!

BTBTB on!

[The Penguin]

Well, I've just watched "Day of The Dark Knight!". I'm a bit confused really....
The characters are indeed well done, loved the Mad Hatter and so on.... As for the plot, it looks like as if I've watched Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" with Bats in it.... ) I sure need to see other series in order to come to some conclusion, but it seems that nothing can overcome BTAS anyway.

Good day, gentlemen! )

[Batbrick]

The Penguin, on Feb 20 2009, 07:12 PM, said:

Well, that sure looks nice! )
I guess, I'll watch it as soon as possible! ) the characters, BTW, look awesome! ) Just like in the silver age. )

It sure does look good, and the Penguin's heyday was in the Silver Age, so perhaps we'll see him pop up at some point?

Oky Wan Kenobi, on Feb 20 2009, 07:24 PM, said:

Ah, thanks for reviving this thread, Batbrick! I was going to do it at some point, but I guess you beat me to it.
My friend who is a die-hard Batfan like you loves this show as much as you, so we both sit down to watch this along with the Clone Wars every Friday night, and I must say that I find myself liking this show a lot too! It's still a little too campy for me, and BTAS will remain the best DC show of all time for me, but this one definitely has its moments! My favorite episodes so far are the ones where Batsy is transformed into an actual Dark Knight and the one where he joins the Green Lantern core! Those were simply badass!

Thanks for that preview! That's the season finale that starts in a week together with the CW season finale, right? Looks pretty good! I was wondering when the Joker would finally make an appearance. Like Batman, the Joker seems to be stylized after his portrayal in the very first, corny Batman cartoon. He looks weird, and it's too bad he isn't voiced by Mark Hamill (He is the best Joker ever!), but if he has a good personality, I might get used to him. Can't wait for these episodes!

Thanks for replying Oky. Glad you're enjoying the show too. I will note one thing however, this show is probably best described as lighter or sillier, given that the word" "camp" implies it is self parody like Adam West's Batman. Not nitpicking by the way, I've just seen far too many annoying SHH posters hating on the show for its "campiness"

Those episodes are great that you mentioned, but I also loved the Deadman and Aquaman episodes. Black Manta is pure badass and I love the more touching moments of Bruce being called into thel ight by his parents. Really shows that while this is a more silver age Batman, it doesn't ignore his tragic aspects.

I'll very much disagree with you that he looks weird, that is a perfect representation of one of the finest artists ever - Dick Sprang - vision of the clown. Here he is:


Plus he still looks pretty menacing


Amazingly given my fandom for him, I'm quite glad Hamill isn't voicing this Joker, as not only does he need some fresh air, but I think a different voice would suit this version more. Glad you've warmed up to it, I have to say this is a true treat to comic hero fans!

Batbrick Away!

[Oky]

The Penguin, on Feb 20 2009, 12:48 AM, said:

I sure need to see other series in order to come to some conclusion, but it seems that nothing can overcome BTAS anyway.

Amen!
Batman Beyond came somewhat close to BTAS as it connected to that series very nicely IMO, but yeah, BTAS remains untouched!

PS: Return of the Joker is my second favorite Batman movie (Mask of the Phantom being my first of course)!

[The Penguin]

Batbrick, on Feb 20 2009, 11:58 AM, said:

It sure does look good, and the Penguin's heyday was in the Silver Age, so perhaps we'll see him pop up at some point?

I sure hope we'll se some classical Joker-Penguin duo! )
I hope Pengy'll be saying "wagh-wagh", have a cigarette holder and an umbrella with all kinds of strange and silly devices! )
Oh, how I miss that good ol' Penguin. )

As for the Joker I really love how he looks in the show. Frankly, I've always considered him from the old comic stories to be the most menacing and scarry-looking. I'm glad that they've managed to give him exactly such a look in the cartoon. )

[Oky]

Batbrick, on Feb 20 2009, 12:58 AM, said:

Thanks for replying Oky. Glad you're enjoying the show too. I will note one thing however, this show is probably best described as lighter or sillier, given that the word" "camp" implies it is self parody like Adam West's Batman. Not nitpicking by the way, I've just seen far too many annoying SHH posters hating on the show for its "campiness"

Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone. Yes, "light" is probably the word I was looking for.

As for the Joker... well, I don't know. He just looks more like someone wearing a Joker mask than the Clown Prince of Crime himself. But that might just be me. Also, he reminds me a lot of the Joker from the episode "Legends of the Dark Knight" from The New Batman Adventures where they made fun of the 50's cartoon. That sequence was just painful to watch. But As I said, I'll have to see him in action to make my final judgement about him.
And I guess you're right that a different voice actor would be better suited for this Joker. I was just hoping that his strange appearance would be balanced out by a good voice performance.

This post has been edited by Oky Wan Kenobi: 20 February 2009 - 09:23 AM