"Beware the Batman" News & Discussion Thread, Part 4 (Spoilers)

[-batmat-]

I hope a new Batman show comes along, in a few years (nothing immediately) that manages to captivate me the way B:TAS, The Batman, and B:TBaTB did.

With the upcoming Batman VS Superman movie, that will feature WW and will lead to a Justice League movie, it's most likely we'll be getting either a Sups/Bats series or a Justice League series. I hope...!

 

[Hordesman]

Motu2k. Symbiotic Titan. Mystery inc. Thundercats Young justice. GLTAS. I was ready to walk from DC animation after the last batman show because it was pretty perfect short one character DC animation kept skipping. And there they put him as the lead villain in the next one but hear me well, Mattel and DC Comics and Cartoon Network- I have no interest in a show or toyline without Anarky now. This will hurt your bottom line, antagonizing a customer who has supported you for years and bought 24 units of the figure from this show for donations. But I will go back to a single MOTUC sub and NO other Mattel product if it comes to that. I can buy my niece, nephews and toys for tots Disney toys from other companies for example. I have a couple shows like Superjail, venture bros and adventure time to finish up but I will drop teen titans go immediately. And I remember losing interest in DC when Anarky's monthly got cancelled. I do plan on being a comic shop regular still but I will cut back on DC in favor of its competitors. But I hope I won't have to go this route. I'll even accept a 4" Arkham Origins Anarky.

 

[W.C.Reaf]

Why bother to introduce a new rogues gallery in a show, if you're just going to drastically alter the characters to the point where they're nothing like their comicbook counterparts?!

BTAS did it. Their villains were given new personalities, origins, and some were "drastically changed" from their comic book versions. No one seemed to mind that Mr Freeze, Clayface, Catwoman, or Clock King were drastically altered. Not to mention Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Killer Croc, the Riddler, Mad Hatter, Hugo Strange, Count Vertigo, and many more were altered for the series. It is not unusual for a series to change the characters around a bit when adapting them, since they're different mediums and what works in one doesn't necessarily work in the other.

So I don't see why that's a problem because every other comic book series under the sun has done it, and it’s worked out pretty well for them.

 

[Hordesman]

I'm such an Anarky fan to the point where I was accused on the DC message boards in 99/00 of being a plant. This isn't the same character on this show but it's a start. If this character moves a lot of merchandise in 2014, he'll get the tv appearances and toy variants that will inevitably include the monthly series costume and characterization. DCC has proven they are willing to be a partner with me in this endeavor and I hope Mattel will be as well.

 

[-batmat-]

BTAS did it. Their villains were given new personalities, origins, and some were "drastically changed" from their comic book versions. No one seemed to mind that Mr Freeze, Clayface, Catwoman, or Clock King were drastically altered. Not to mention Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Killer Croc, the Riddler, Mad Hatter, Hugo Strange, Count Vertigo, and many more were altered for the series. It is not unusual for a series to change the characters around a bit when adapting them, since they're different mediums and what works in one doesn't necessarily work in the other.

So I don't see why that's a problem because every other comic book series under the sun has done it, and it’s worked out pretty well for them.

I don't think it's a bad thing to do, the problem is that BTAS succeded doing that while BTB failed

 

[M.O.D.O.K.]

I don't think it's a bad thing to do, the problem is that BTAS succeded doing that while BTB failed

How did it fail, exactly? I would argue that would vary depending on the character. For instance, this show's take on Magpie and Cypher were massive improvements on their comic book counterparts, while Catwoman and Hugo Strange in B:TAS were changed for the worse.

In an additional note, I noticed that the show's comic tie-in was not listed in the recent solicitations.

 

[Yojimbo]

In an additional note, I noticed that the show's comic tie-in was not listed in the recent solicitations.

In today's TTG! comic article, James noted he's trying to get an answer on why that is. Could be DC is planning to shift BTB to bi-monthly like they did with GL:TAS.

 

[I_Spyral]

I'm such an Anarky fan to the point where I was accused on the DC message boards in 99/00 of being a plant. This isn't the same character on this show but it's a start. If this character moves a lot of merchandise in 2014, he'll get the tv appearances and toy variants that will inevitably include the monthly series costume and characterization. DCC has proven they are willing to be a partner with me in this endeavor and I hope Mattel will be as well.

I love Anarky, but this version didn't do anything for me. They were clearly going after the Sherlock Moriarty that I think it would have been more natural to use Riddler instead. And I get why they're not using Riddler or any "iconic" Bat-villains, but I'm just saying this Anarky feels like they're jamming a square peg in a round hole.

 

[-batmat-]

How did it fail, exactly? I would argue that would vary depending on the character. For instance, this show's take on Magpie and Cypher were massive improvements on their comic book counterparts, while Catwoman and Hugo Strange in B:TAS were changed for the worse.

In an additional note, I noticed that the show's comic tie-in was not listed in the recent solicitations.

I was talking in general, obviously some were better , some worse, I obviously wasn't gonna make a villain-for-villain rundown on who was better and who was worse

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

I wonder if James heard anything about the comic? I'm assuming it's just going bi-monthly.

 

[veemonjosh]

They ordered twenty-six episodes. They simply chose not to order episodes beyond their initial order. That doesn't quite count as 'canceling'.

I'm pretty sure it counts as canceling when the network drops the show before even half of the order can be broadcasted.

 

[Aaron]

Some changes sure. Not as many as you list though.

BTAS did it. Their villains were given new personalities, origins, and some were "drastically changed" from their comic book versions. No one seemed to mind that Mr Freeze, Clayface, Catwoman, or Clock King were drastically altered. Not to mention Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Killer Croc, the Riddler, Mad Hatter, Hugo Strange, Count Vertigo, and many more were altered for the series. It is not unusual for a series to change the characters around a bit when adapting them, since they're different mediums and what works in one doesn't necessarily work in the other.

So I don't see why that's a problem because every other comic book series under the sun has done it, and it’s worked out pretty well for them.

While you may not consider it a problem, I do. And I think that's the fundamental difference.
BUT, let's look at the list you presented:

1) Mr. Freeze - Freeze is a scientist who must wear a cryo-suit in order to survive, and bases his crimes around a "cold" or "ice" theme, complete with a "freeze gun" that freezes its targets solid. In the most common variation of his origin, he is a former cryogenics expert who suffered an accident while attempting to cure his wife. His original origin and characterization was that Mr. Freeze was a scientist who inadvertently spills cryogenic chemicals on himself, resulting in his needing subzero temperatures to survive. The ONLY thing BTAS did was give him a wife. Basically, since they were no longer hindered by the old CCA rule that villains couldn't be relatable or sympathetic, they could give him some depth. Not really much of an alteration here.
2) Clayface - I'll give you that one. Even though the character was basically Basil Karlo and Matt Hagen merged into one character given a new, again TRAGIC, backstory.
3) Catwoman - Can't give you that one. Because in the show she's given NO story whatsoever. All we know is she's a cat-burglar with a soft spot for animals. And considering she's had around half a dozen origins retold over the years, I'm glad they didn't give her one in the show.
4) Clock King - totally right! Can't make a single argument against it. And you know what, this version of the character was boring, completely uninteresting and just simply lame.
5) Poison Ivy - In the comics she was a promising botanistwho is seduced by Marc LeGrande into assisting him with a theft. Fearing she would implicate him in the theft, he attempts to poison her with the herbs, which are deadly and untraceable. She survives this murder attempt and discovers she has acquired an immunity to all natural toxins and diseases. Her origin was rewritten in1988, where she was given the name Pamela Lillian Isley. In this version she's still a botanist who gets double-crossed by a man and develops an immunity to all natural toxins and diseases. She specializes in hybrids and can create the most potently powerful floral toxins in the world. Often these toxins are administered in her preferred way, a poisonous kiss, usually after professing false love or affection for her victim. They come in a number of varieties, from mind-controlling drugs to instantly fatal toxins. So, I'm gonna go with this one not being much of an alteration.
6) Two-Face - Is still a handsome DA who is horribly disfigured because of his attempts to thwart a Gotham Crime Boss. Switch Falcone with Rupert Thorne and you're good to go. Sure, the acid was changed to an explosion. But the story is more or less the same. Also, in the 1980s, Harvey's origin, presented in Batman Annual (vol. 1) #14, served to emphasize Dent's status as a tragic villain, with a back story that included early struggles with bipolar disorder as well as paranoia. So, I'm gonna say the show is pretty close to the comics.
7) Count Vertigo - He's Vertigo in this show. And he's still a gimmick-villain, like he always was. And Vertigo method of attack is to cause the distortion of visual perception and the loss of sense of balance. The "Vertigo Effect". The only major change in the show is that he is involved with the Society of Shadows. So, not so much of a change there.
8) Killer Croc - Yep. I'll give you that one too. Can't argue at all. And you know what... I hated this version of Killer Croc. He was a moron generally only there for comic relief. Though the episode where he tries to get revenge on Bullock was mildly enjoyable, although completely implausible.
9) Hugo Strange - His original iteration was a mad scientist who did all sorts of dastardly evil mad-scientist style experiments to commit horrible crimes in Gotham. Thus the name "Strange", thus another generic gimmick villain. His post-crisis incarnation was introduced in the "Prey" story-arc as a psychiatrist who, while brilliant at his work, was portrayed as being equally psychotic. Strange becomes obsessed over Batman. Conducts evil schemes involving brainwashing people, and deducing Batman's true identity as Bruce Wayne. In the end though, Batman managed to foil Strange's plot and forced him to doubt his own conclusion about his true identity, before he could share it with anyone else. Hugo Strange is introduced in the episode "The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne", a remake of the auction that took place in the "Strange Apparitions" story arc of the 1970s. So, good enough for me.
10)Mad Hatter - Jarvis Tetch is a man obsessed with the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass, particularly favoring the chapter 'A Mad Tea Party'. Tetch often quotes and makes reference to Carroll's Wonderland novels, and sometimes even fails to discern between these stories and reality. He has a pet named Carrol Lewis. And throughout his early appearances and reappearance in the 80s, he shows a penchant for kidnapping and brainwashing, including doing both to Lucius Fox. In the story, "All My Enemies Against Me" in 1981, his mind-controlling hats are introduced. Tetch is shown to kidnap Barbara Gordon and forces her to play the role of Alice in his recreation of Wonderland (though that was 1996). AND he didn't really have an origin in the comics until around 2004 and onward. So, there's not much to contradict. So, I'm going with a big nope on Mad Hatter.
11) The Riddler - The ONLY difference between Riddler in BTAS and the older comics is his attitude. Because in the comics he's often shown as a cackling madman. This change was made specifically to separate him from Joker and from the Frank Gorshin '66 portrayal (as evidenced by info found in Comics Scene #43, published by Starlog). Throughout his Golden and Silver Age portrayals, The Riddler is typically portrayed as a smooth-talking yet quirky character, motivated by a neurotic compulsion to commit crimes based on riddles and puzzles. The Riddler is obsessed with riddles and word games. He delights in forewarning both Batman and the police of his capers by sending them complex clues. The character is depicted as wearing a domino mask with a green suit and bowler hat, or a green unitard with question mark prints. He doesn't get much of any sort of backstory until "The Long Halloween" and afterward. So, again, I'm gonna go with Nope. Not much in the way of changes.

So, all in all, 3 of the 11 characters you listed were definitely drastically altered. But that's really it.
And the 3 listed, I felt were worse for it.

 

[Yojimbo]

I wonder if James heard anything about the comic? I'm assuming it's just going bi-monthly.

He's still searching for answers. They might have quietly shifted it to bi-monthly to alternate with the Teen Titans Go! comic. They pretty much did the same thing to the Green Lantern: TAS comic last year.

 

[Hordesman]

Poison Ivy started off as a rehash of Catwoman in many ways. I know the comics later added a swamp thing connection but it was BTAS that worked out the redundancy issues by making her something different from Catwoman and Harley Quinn by associating her with sham heterosexual relationships in most of her appearances.

 

[James Harvey]

It took a few days, but DC Entertainment has confirmed for The World's Finest that the Beware The Batman comic book has indeed been cancelled. Details can be found at The World's Finest.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

It took a few days, but DC Entertainment has confirmed for The World's Finest that the Beware The Batman comic book has indeed been cancelled. Details can be found at The World's Finest.

Somewhat strange if you ask me (Certainly with the strong sales of the first issue)... usually they announce the end of a series with a 'FINAL ISSUE' tag on solicitations. This comic didn't even get that luxury so it sounds like a very last minute decision.

And it also makes it the shortest tie-in comic based on a DC animation property.

Oh well... and no DC, I will not be buying Teen Titans Go! or Scribblenauts Unmasked.

 

[Jazz1000]

It took a few days, but DC Entertainment has confirmed for The World's Finest that the Beware The Batman comic book has indeed been cancelled. Details can be found at The World's Finest.

...this is abit sad to hear
i hope they don't lead the series getting canned, if so then i might as well go buy episodes that i have yet seen

 

[CyberCubed]

...this is abit sad to hear
i hope they don't lead the series getting canned, if so then i might as well go buy episodes that i have yet seen

The show is canceled. The staff have moved on and aren't working on a Season 2. Since animation takes 9 months to produce an episode from start to finish, its obviously not happening or else they would be making them right now.

Let's just hope whatever Batman (or Justice League?) cartoon that comes after this one is more successful.

 

[firefoxprime]

The show is canceled. The staff have moved on and aren't working on a Season 2. Since animation takes 9 months to produce an episode from start to finish, its obviously not happening or else they would be making them right now.

Let's just hope whatever Batman (or Justice League?) cartoon that comes after this one is more successful.

Show's cancelled? Oh gee....where have I heard that before? Man, I feel like those jaded old dudes on cartoon brew *shivers*

 

[M.O.D.O.K.]

The preview for the fourth issue of the comic is out now. It does contain some rather large spoilers for the show in general, so it was definitely meant to come out after a few certain episodes have aired.