Batman-Online.com

http://www.batman-online.com/?news&id=85

I may be in the minority about this, but I kinda like the 1939 Batman style design.

Katana is an interesting choice as Batman's sidekick.  It doesn't seem random, though, since she works with Batman in The Outsiders.  And the comments about her not being a complete substitute to Robin could be an indication that we'll get Robin later on.

As for the villains, I'm not a huge fan of Professor Pyg or Mr. Toad, but it's kinda cool that they're incorporating some of the new comic book characters.  Any idea who the white-haired lady next to Pyg is meant to be?

As for the most controversial part of the image- I was honestly more surprised by the idea of Alfred fighting crime with Batman & Katana than I was about Alfred using guns. 

Alfred's often used a shotgun to protect Wayne Manor (though the only time I recall him actually firing it was in Batman vs. Predator when he shot the Predator in the back.  I know that story may not be canon, but the writers of that comic probably did that because they saw Alfred using a shotgun in previous comics). 

The first Superman/Batman story arc, Public Enemies, also had Alfred pointing a shotgun at Superman and Batman before they got closer and he realized who they were.  If I recall correctly, this was carried over into the animated DVD adaptation of that story. 
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8nh0WtVaAfw/SUXsWgevujI/AAAAAAAAAA4/wOxN62t4Me0/s1600-h/SB+%23002.jpg

Judging from the response to the image today, I wonder if anyone remembers any of this.  Hell, one of the more popular images of Bane that's gotten posted around the 'Net (after he was announced as the Dark Knight Rises villain) has Alfred pointing a shotgun to his face: http://geekdraw.com/dc-comics/bane/7602395

I'm sure Silver Nemesis has some comic scans to show more, too, and I don't know if he's used handguns before, like in that image, but the fact is that Alfred's been using a gun in the canon for awhile and, given his military background, it makes sense.  Granted, it's not as organic as Jim Gordon being armed (since Gordon's a cop) and it's not something that I've had a desire to see in every Batman story, but I feel that the canon has shown that Batman's trust and alliance with Gordon and Alfred has outweighed any contempt for their gun use.

We'll see how they portray Alfred the vigilante in Beware the Batman, though.  Alfred protecting the cave with a shotgun is one thing, but is he really going to be out with Batman?  Wouldn't he have to worry about a secret identity?  Those are things I'm more concerned about than him carrying guns.  Besides, considering this is a kids' show, I doubt Alfred will be shooting anyone to death anyway.

Great background info there...thanks.

(https://www.batman-online.com/news/1317765123_beware-the-batman-promo.jpg)

I'm just not easy with Alfred running around pro-actively using guns.

Yeah, it's an odd choice for sure and I'm curious how it'll play out.

Still, I think the image would've gone over a lot better if Jim Gordon was the one pictured with the guns instead.

BatmAngelus is spot on about Alfred's use of guns. Another example I'd mention is The Cult, in which its implied Alfred shot – and in all likelihood killed – several of Deacon Blackfire's fanatics when he went to pick up Batman and Robin in #3.

Regarding the new animated series, it could be fun. Taking the CGI route worked well for Clone Wars and would help avoid unfavourable comparisons with Batman: TAS. I wonder if it's set in the same universe as the computer animated Green Lantern series? If so, this could mark the start of a new DCAU.

The first teaser's online.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttc1HAaxQt4

http://www.batman-online.com/news/2012/4/18/beware-the-batman-teaser/

(https://www.batman-online.com/news/1334789208_beware-the-batman-teaser.jpg)

I'll admit, I was dubious when I first heard about this - but I think we should all take a deep breath and see how it pans out.

"Beware", this teaser couldn't have a more apt title. It will either be another Bat-cartoon that divides fans ("The Batman"), or actually really good. At least the video and the poster look more promising than that horrible promo pic a few posts above.

Looking on the positive side, I do like that the lesser known Batman villains will be getting more of an emphasis here. The Joker and friends are iconic and fan favourites, but I feel a deviation from that could really lend a different flavour to things.

this could go either way for me.  On the positive side I'm open to different interpretations of Batman, and I like that some of the lesser known characters are getting a run in a new series.  Some of the designs look particular good on paper.

I don't care for this kind of computer animation, though.  It may take me a little while to warm up to it.  But I'll give it a shot.  :)

Im not too fussed on the idea of this

Well, the creators went out on a limb and made something different. We'll just have to wait and see how the characters and plot work out. As for the animation, I'm sold.

Sorry, couldn't help with the "beware", always reminds me of this

(https://www.batman-online.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liveforfilms.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F05%2Fbram_stockers_dracula_beware_teaser_1992.jpeg&hash=fdcde9b33b7d4466903b8f9410c865fddd7a7e37)

They say if you don't have anything good to say, don't talk, but... "Beware", indeed.

Here's an image Warner Bros. Consumer Products released back in January. You can see a larger version if you click on the image on the linked page.

(https://www.batman-online.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldsfinestonline.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F01%2Ft-bewarethebatman1.jpg&hash=444e3242e62ee443273582f68b483ccdfa0b63dc)
http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/2013/01/31/warner-bros-consumer-products-releases-new-beware-the-batman-teen-titans-go-images/

Professor Pyg looks huge here. Either that or Mr. Toad is really short.

So when is this coming out? I'm actually looking forward to it. Heard it was delayed to tone down the gun violence in the wake of Aurora.

Premiering July 13

Here's the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IVJH3stuu0

A new Batman product is always welcome, so looking forward to seeing it.

jaw = on the floor

is that supposed to be catwoman he is fighting in the beginning? and who is the pig guy?

i can't wait  ;D

I like what I've seen.  I know a lot of people are harsh on the CG animation, but I don't mind it and the design of Batman reminds me of the original 1939 Bill Finger Batman.

Quoteis that supposed to be catwoman he is fighting in the beginning? and who is the pig guy?

It's Magpie, actually, but I can't blame you for thinking it's Catwoman based on the footage.  It kind of feels like they chose the more obscure femme fatale thief just to be different, but I worry that their incarnation will feel like it's just "Catwoman under another name."

The pig guy is Professor Pyg from Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin comics.  They'll probably have to tone him down for him to fit in a kid's show.

ok thank you. never heard of either of them so this will be both entertaining AND educational lol

Quote from: BatmAngelus on Sat, 22 Jun  2013, 06:40
I like what I've seen.  I know a lot of people are harsh on the CG animation, but I don't mind it and the design of Batman reminds me of the original 1939 Bill Finger Batman.

That's what this is reminding me of.

BTAS/Beyond is pretty much off limits. That's Everest.
Nor do I think it will reach the heights of Brave and The Bold - which is also terrific.
Though I think it can go head to head with The Batman and possibly beat it out.

Looking forward to getting stuck into it.

Ultimately, all I care about is the writing. I wasn't crazy about the CGI in the Green Lantern cartoon but (much to my surprise) it was actually pretty well-written. Had the live-action film used the pilot's script, we might have had a Green Lantern 2 by now.

As for the villains, I think they've gone on record as saying they only want to use villains which haven't been used before. I think it's a bold strategy and I commend them for not going the easy Joker/Riddler route. Having said that, I'm sure they'll show up in later seasons.

i hope they do have the old faves eventually but this will be fun. i already love this magpie and all i know about her is what i saw in that one little clip lol.

um does anyone know how magpie is pronounced? like a pie? "blueberry pie, strawberry pie, cherry pie, magpie?" lol.

Here's the intro.

Is it just me or does the new Batmobile remind anyone of the Mach 5?
http://www.anime-cel.com/ourstuff/machgogo1.htm (http://www.anime-cel.com/ourstuff/machgogo1.htm)

It does. And the intro is fine. Just a short little groove dissolving into the show proper.

Quote from: GBglide on Fri,  5 Jul  2013, 09:33
Is it just me or does the new Batmobile remind anyone of the Mach 5?
http://www.anime-cel.com/ourstuff/machgogo1.htm (http://www.anime-cel.com/ourstuff/machgogo1.htm)

Good observation. It looks quite similar to the Alex Ross Batmobile too.

(https://www.batman-online.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.wikia.com%2Fmarvel_dc%2Fimages%2Fb%2Fb6%2FBatmobile_008.jpg&hash=1595dd5aa5ea32ed8b13b2f88f52c5819d3e808a)

I sense a shared ancestry here.

Latest interview:
http://comicsalliance.com/beware-the-batman-glen-murakami-mitch-watson-interview-producers/

This intrigues me the most:

QuoteGM: In the beginning, when we developing [the series], I grabbed all of these Batman comics and I was looking through them. I sort of felt like it's getting to be the same thing over and over and over again. Even the character dynamics and relationships seemed like they were sort of the same thing. It seemed like it was going to be the same thing. We asked, can we start from this different place?

By doing that, it sort of put a slightly different spin on the character. When Mitch and I were discussing the stories, it was like, yeah, but we need to somehow figure out things to make it more Batman, but with these new characters.

MW: We wanted the villains not to just be these sort of be shoved into stories. Every time we put a villain in the show, it wasn't just to stick a new villain in. It was specifically to bring out a new aspect of Batman or Bruce Wayne's personality. Every villain we stuck in the show, there was a reason they were in those particular episodes. That's why you're not going to see a bunch of episodes that are about bank robberies or those kinds of things that are more traditional stories.

We tried to be more about the characters. What was going on with Bruce Wayne, what was going on with Batman, and what was going on with Alfred, for that matter. And what was going on with these villains. Yeah, they're bad people, but you want to have a bit of sympathy for them in some ways. To do that, you have to peel back the layers of their personalities.

GM: The challenge was how we take some of these lesser Batman villains and bring them up to the level of the old rogues' gallery. It was really difficult, but I think it was a lot of fun doing that. What was cool about it, too, was it brought out different aspects of Batman I think you haven't seen before. Just to see his interaction with different villains makes it interesting.

I've always felt the broad popularity of Batman's gallery of rogues was largely due to the exposure they received on the sixties TV show. This new series could help boost the profile of some of his lesser known adversaries in a similar manner.

I certainly won't miss the familiar rogues. The Joker in particular has been badly overexposed in recent years. I'll be glad to take a break from him.

that was....interesting.

i better watch a few more episodes before i pass judgement lol

Interesting's a good word for it.  While the animation is certainly new for a Batman show and the stuff with Alfred and Katana is a fresh direction, I thought the story itself wasn't that different from the average Batman episode you'd see in B:TAS or The Batman.  Not that that's a problem, but after all the talk about making things fresher, I guess I expected a less predictable story.  Still, I'll stick around for the next few episodes.

i need someone to educate me. how did mr. toad become a toad and is professor pyg wearing a mask or is he really a pig?

Just watched the first episode.

With so many Batman products out there, they've gone for something completely different. Good on them in that regard.
As for the episode, it was alright. It didn't set my world on fire. Atmosphere is lacking at the moment.

Alfred is something different. It's not my ideal interpretation.

I'll keeping watching.

one of the interview thingies i read before said they were going for sean connery's character in the untouchables. i think they hit it lol

i have never heard of katana either. i feel completely lost with everyone but bruce, alfred, and the commish even though the commish isn't the commish yet.

I also wasn't particularly impressed with the first episode. I'll give it a chance but I suspect it will be another "The Batman."

Quote from: phantom stranger on Mon, 15 Jul  2013, 02:36
I also wasn't particularly impressed with the first episode. I'll give it a chance but I suspect it will be another "The Batman."

I don't want to pre-emp anything just yet, but I think The Batman will be better.

i only lasted one episode with the batman lol.

Quote from: Catwoman on Mon, 15 Jul  2013, 11:26
i only lasted one episode with the batman lol.

I need to see more Bruce interacting with Alfred and other people. The action scenes and such are feeling flat to me. I'd like some meat on this things bones.

Quote from: Catwoman on Sat, 13 Jul  2013, 22:54
i need someone to educate me. how did mr. toad become a toad and is professor pyg wearing a mask or is he really a pig?

Mr. Toad's back story has never been revealed. He first appeared in Batman and Robin Vol 1 #1 (August 2009) and was murdered by the domino killer in the very next issue (September 2009). He was only a minor villain of no real significance. It's unclear whether he was actually a toad or just a very strange looking human.

As for Professor Pyg, his real name is Lazlo Valentin and he's a psychotic human who likes to wear a pig mask. His back story is also murky. In the comics he and Toad were both members of a criminal organisation known as the Circus of Strange. Both characters made cameos in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode 'The Knights of Tomorrow!' (season 2, episode 23).

ooo i see. thank you for replying seeing as no one else did. grr.

lol.

So far, I think Alfred and Tatsu/Katana are the best parts of the show and I'll stick around for them.

The Batman-Gordon stuff wasn't bad, but it was pretty standard.  We've seen this kind of "anti-vigilante cop becomes his ally" thing before.  Hopefully they have something new in store.

Magpie was alright, with the only remnants of the original character being "Shiny, shiny." 

Otherwise, apart from the multiple personalities and inability to feel pain (neither of which are aspects of Magpie in the comics either), she was pretty much Catwoman-in-a-more-revealing-costume, with Selina's fighting skills and claws, as well as the character being flirty with Batman, leading into the rooftop chase. 

Last week's reimagining of Professor Pyg and Toad was a little better, but I can still picture Poison Ivy being used in their stead, since she's got the ecoterrorist M.O.  That said, I wonder if they're going to connect Pyg & Toad to Ra's Al Ghul, who's been confirmed to be making an appearance on the show.

sh*t i missed today's episode! damn me. grrr.

that's what happens when you are out til 6 in the morning, kiddies.

it was available on my on demand. score!

and all i have to say is...shiny shiny!

:P

wow i think i fell in love with magpie. i think i would have liked it better if she had been the blonde batsy originally thought she was instead of the receptionist but i still love her! i hope she recovers from the electrocution that mean ol batman gave her :(

Quotei think i would have liked it better if she had been the blonde batsy originally thought she was instead of the receptionist but i still love her!

I will give the show credit- I thought it'd be Dr. Ravencroft, too.

Quote from: BatmAngelus on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:20

Quotei think i would have liked it better if she had been the blonde batsy originally thought she was instead of the receptionist but i still love her!

I will give the show credit- I thought it'd be Dr. Ravencroft, too.

magpie. raven(croft). yea. lol

In the comics, Magpie's real name is Margaret Pye, as in, well...you get it  ;D

Quote from: BatmAngelus on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:38
In the comics, Magpie's real name is Margaret Pye, as in, well...you get it  ;D

no i don't :-\

Quote from: Catwoman on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:41

Quote from: BatmAngelus on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:38
In the comics, Magpie's real name is Margaret Pye, as in, well...you get it  ;D

no i don't :-\

Margaret can be shortened to Maggie.

Quote from: The Dark Knight on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 01:07

Quote from: Catwoman on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:41

Quote from: BatmAngelus on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:38
In the comics, Magpie's real name is Margaret Pye, as in, well...you get it  ;D

no i don't :-\

Margaret can be shortened to Maggie.

oh ok. so it wasn't that i didn't get it, it was just that i was overthinking it lol

did anyone else find magpie to be a sexy character? i mean she didn't ooze sex like michelle's catwoman but she had her moments. oddly to me one of the hottest parts of the show was when she fell to her certain death on the car and then gets up. and her quick kiss of batman just before she leaves him to have his memory wiped. mmm.

or maybe i shouldn't have been watching it after the sun went down and i was feeling...yea. lol.

i LOVE her outfit though. not sure about the wig but i may have found my halloween costume! it was either going to be her or starfire from teen titans go! so at least i have the cn theme going lol.

random question, i wonder what aversion cn has to drawing a belly button for magpie and starfire. both of their outfits should clearly show theirs and yet they both have a blank tummy like that model everyone was talking about because she didn't have a belly button. rude.

Quote from: Catwoman on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 04:58

Quote from: The Dark Knight on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 01:07

Quote from: Catwoman on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:41

Quote from: BatmAngelus on Tue, 23 Jul  2013, 00:38
In the comics, Magpie's real name is Margaret Pye, as in, well...you get it  ;D

no i don't :-\

Margaret can be shortened to Maggie.

oh ok. so it wasn't that i didn't get it, it was just that i was overthinking it lol

No, you didn't get it.

do we get a new episode tomorrow?

New.  "Tests"
Bruce tests Katana's loyalty; Batman battles Anarky.

While the show continues to use different villains from the usual, the episode stories themselves aren't that special, in my opinion.  Still, the finale to Batman vs. Anarky was cool, even if the writers make the same mistake as the TDK writers by thinking anarchy and chaos are synonyms (All these guys are comic fans, right?  Haven't they read V for Vendetta?  Alan Moore, via V, clarifies the difference).

Plus, more Tatsu is always good.  I'm not expecting her to become Katana in the next couple episodes, but hopefully she'll get to use the sword and take on the persona soon so she'll have more to do than hang around Wayne Manor and investigate things we already know.

I'm curious if they'll bring the Joker onto the show, would they go with the comic canon that Anarky is his son?  This Anarky seems to be around the same age as Batman, so Joker may be older, if he's this guy's dad.

damnit i missed it again! >:( >:( >:( >:(

son of a biznitch!

oh well i will just have to wait till on demand after midnight.  :P

Quote from: BatmAngelus on Sat, 27 Jul  2013, 21:40
I'm curious if they'll bring the Joker onto the show, would they go with the comic canon that Anarky is his son?

Isn't that one of those unconfirmed things? Apparently Denny O'Neill was opposed to the idea and it was supposed to be unproven - though the Anarky series was discontinued before it happened.

for me the jury is still in deliberation after three epis. i'm struggling to get into it, as much as i want to.

anyone else love the wonder woman shorts they show during a commercial break though? i have never liked wonder woman but these make her so badass lol.

I have only seen the first episode. I don't have any desire to keep going. In fact, I've recently started re-watching BTAS.

Watched a few episodes. Wrote a brief review elsewhere, posting here too:

I'm not at all surprised that the villains this show has opted to use aren't more widely known; none of them are that interesting IMO. Anarky in particular struck me as a very, very, very watered-down, "kid-friendly" knock-off of what Nolan and Ledger were going for with the Joker. I would extend that "uninteresting" sentiment to Katana as well, and I don't care for the characterisation of Alfred. Of the episodes I've seen - the humour isn't funny, the dialogue overall is dull, the voice acting is hit-and-miss (and unfortunately, Batman's misses more often than it hits) and the animation is, frankly, terrible, with uninspired design and unemotive character work. The focus on the detective side of these characters is refreshing, but it's not nearly enough to make up for the many defects of this show. IMO.

so is that an endorsement or not? :P

I was thinking about this show today, and how I need to sit down and binge watch it. It's one aspect of Batman media in recent times that I haven't properly explored, and will seek to do so.

This reminds me I need to finish it. They aired the last several episodes in a marathon at like 3 in the morning one Saturday and that was it. No repeat, no on demand, and I didn't buy the DVD. The way Cartoon Network handled it made me lose interest even though the show itself was really good. I will only be played with so much.

Anthony Ruivivar was a really good Batman but no one gave him a shot because he wasn't Kevin Conroy. I would like to see him get another project.

Quote from: Catwoman on Mon,  6 Jun  2016, 15:10
The way Cartoon Network handled it made me lose interest even though the show itself was really good. I will only be played with so much.

This is true. The show was doubted from the beginning, mostly due to the animation style. I'm thinking it could be a hidden gem in the franchise. I'm looking forward to having a fresh look at it.

If I recall correctly YOU were one of those doubters lol

Quote from: Catwoman on Tue,  7 Jun  2016, 10:54
If I recall correctly YOU were one of those doubters lol

Initially maybe. But I do recall saying 'give it a go' at one point.  :P

Quote from: The Dark Knight on Tue,  7 Jun  2016, 07:46

Quote from: Catwoman on Mon,  6 Jun  2016, 15:10
The way Cartoon Network handled it made me lose interest even though the show itself was really good. I will only be played with so much.

This is true. The show was doubted from the beginning, mostly due to the animation style. I'm thinking it could be a hidden gem in the franchise. I'm looking forward to having a fresh look at it.

This has been my Batman focus recently. I hadn't seen half of these episodes at all until now, as I couldn't muster the motivation to do so. Here's some of my general thoughts:

First of all, this show had a number of obstacles for sections of the audience, namely the animation style. It really grew on me, but for some they couldn't get past it. I like the dark pallete and tonally the show doesn't overdo the jokes. It's actually quite restrained and serious.

In that regard I can see why younger audiences perhaps didn't connect with it, or why it didn't sell as many toys as something like The Brave and the Bold. Shunning the big villains and focusing on the obscure underbelly was a brave choice, and also probably turned people off who were holding out for the classic rogues. Katana substituting Robin was another brave choice, plus with her connection with Alfred being stronger than her relationship with Batman. But that's something that grows in time. She's someone already highly competent which further creates a different type of partner dynamic. That's the entire message I have with BTB: it's not bad, it's just different.

The continuity between episodes was smartly constructed. It's all intertwined and is always building towards something, rather than being standalone. I see that as a big strength, especially if you haven't seen the show before and are looking to do a binge watch.

This Bruce is a cool dude. Relaxed but focused. Batman himself is also more of a detective. I love this Alfred, and it reminds me if you nail the Alfred/Bruce dynamic more often than not you'll have a Batman good show. They're the real heart and soul of the Batman universe. BTB's Alfred uses guns, but the comic incarnation has done so before. His MI6 past adds a different flavor. So does this version of Wayne Manor, which I think is one of the best things about the show. It's a highly secured fortress, the most protected version of the location in memory. The secret entrance to the batcave via the fireplace is exactly the type of thing I like seeing. Just a cool place.

Ending the series on a cliffhanger isn't necessarily a bad thing. This Batman started by saying he worked alone, and he ended by forming the Outsiders. That's an arc and a conclusion, regardless if it was cut short. If BTB was more mainstream it possibly wouldn't have been cancelled. But then it wouldn't be what it is, which is something unique and fascinating. While it lasts Beware offers a stable, clear vision for 26 episodes, which is still a lot more content than the Burton era when you put things in that context. We really are blessed to have so many interpretations of Batman, and for the most part they're all good in their own way.