Review Notes of The Batman...

**Kalyx triaD** · 10-02-2004, 11:04 AM

It must be said, whenever WB and DC put an animated effort out, we should never doubt them. When I heard the new Batman animated series would be minus Kevin Konroy; I quickly dismissed it as a Batman Begins coat rider. Just like my Batman Beyond bad mouthing, I was wrong in an entertaining way.

The Batman does what appears to be the TV fad these days in taking established characters and retelling/remixing their origin by way of modern presentation. X-Men Evolution and Smallville technically should be set in the 60's/70's, but the time setting and culture refferences are blatantly modern (although Smallville tries to keep a sensible timeline). In this fashion, Bruce Wayne is a young 20 something learning how to be... The Batman. One could say that this series begins right after the scene in Mask of the Phantasm when Bruce first dons the cape and cowl, but dismiss that thought.

The story isn't of the Kevin Konroy era that lasted an amazing 13 years (going into Cartoon Network's Justice League). The only real throwback to that time is the costume, which is clearly a modified work of the original "Animated Series" look, which in turn was inspired by the modern era Batman costume (Black/Yellow Bat symbol, grey/blue suit, yellow belt). Aside from that, this is a different cartoon. It does take a while to hear him speak and not get the familiar gruff of Kevin. Anyway, the story seems to take liberties, again like XMen Evo, and reteel certain moments. A recent episode involved Bane, who's nowhere near meeting Bats in a the formal story line. But get this, they tell the basic Bane story of him breaking Batman's body and spirit, in kid's TV format ofcourse. Also in that episode, you see how Alfred really helped in the forgery of Bruce's character.

The animation turns away from the pastel water color look of Batman's last series, and seems closer to the sharp bright look of the Justice League's visuals. It draws even farther away from the established big shoulder, big jaw art style of characters. Again, this isn't a Batman series of old.

The voice acting is standard, with a unfittingly high quality in Alfred's voice work. His voice, and his likeness, reminds me of Q from the recent Bond movies for some reason. I'll check that out later. Batman himself registers as Bat-Boy, and manages to sound as whiney and juvinile as Tim from the last series; and doesn't seem to have the young Bad-Assery of Terry from Batman Beyond. Perhaps I'm looking too far into it; and I still rather hear that voice than guy-next-door Clooney.

The Batman is pretty cool. Not Justice League greatness, but neater than the recent JLU as far as presentation. It appears DC is owning the TV front as Marvel is lighting up the big screen. An interesting contrast.

**Gouda** · 10-02-2004, 02:03 PM

I have yet to see an episode owing to the fact that I never get up that early.

It'll be picked up by YTV (Canadian channel) sooner or later since they pick up just about all of WB's shows.

Batman is one of my all time favourite comic book heroes though so I don't doubt the sweetness.

**McLegend** · 10-02-2004, 02:25 PM

The oringinal one on FOX was just amazing. It's impoosible to make a cartoon as good has that one was.

10-02-2004, 11:04 AM	#1
Kalyx triaD Raw Video Footage Posts: 45,950	Review Notes of The Batman... It must be said, whenever WB and DC put an animated effort out, we should never doubt them. When I heard the new Batman animated series would be minus Kevin Konroy; I quickly dismissed it as a Batman Begins coat rider. Just like my Batman Beyond bad mouthing, I was wrong in an entertaining way. The Batman does what appears to be the TV fad these days in taking established characters and retelling/remixing their origin by way of modern presentation. X-Men Evolution and Smallville technically should be set in the 60's/70's, but the time setting and culture refferences are blatantly modern (although Smallville tries to keep a sensible timeline). In this fashion, Bruce Wayne is a young 20 something learning how to be... The Batman. One could say that this series begins right after the scene in Mask of the Phantasm when Bruce first dons the cape and cowl, but dismiss that thought. The story isn't of the Kevin Konroy era that lasted an amazing 13 years (going into Cartoon Network's Justice League). The only real throwback to that time is the costume, which is clearly a modified work of the original "Animated Series" look, which in turn was inspired by the modern era Batman costume (Black/Yellow Bat symbol, grey/blue suit, yellow belt). Aside from that, this is a different cartoon. It does take a while to hear him speak and not get the familiar gruff of Kevin. Anyway, the story seems to take liberties, again like XMen Evo, and reteel certain moments. A recent episode involved Bane, who's nowhere near meeting Bats in a the formal story line. But get this, they tell the basic Bane story of him breaking Batman's body and spirit, in kid's TV format ofcourse. Also in that episode, you see how Alfred really helped in the forgery of Bruce's character. The animation turns away from the pastel water color look of Batman's last series, and seems closer to the sharp bright look of the Justice League's visuals. It draws even farther away from the established big shoulder, big jaw art style of characters. Again, this isn't a Batman series of old. The voice acting is standard, with a unfittingly high quality in Alfred's voice work. His voice, and his likeness, reminds me of Q from the recent Bond movies for some reason. I'll check that out later. Batman himself registers as Bat-Boy, and manages to sound as whiney and juvinile as Tim from the last series; and doesn't seem to have the young Bad-Assery of Terry from Batman Beyond. Perhaps I'm looking too far into it; and I still rather hear that voice than guy-next-door Clooney. The Batman is pretty cool. Not Justice League greatness, but neater than the recent JLU as far as presentation. It appears DC is owning the TV front as Marvel is lighting up the big screen. An interesting contrast.

10-02-2004, 02:03 PM	#2
Gouda It's Hammer Time Posts: 2,207	I have yet to see an episode owing to the fact that I never get up that early. It'll be picked up by YTV (Canadian channel) sooner or later since they pick up just about all of WB's shows. Batman is one of my all time favourite comic book heroes though so I don't doubt the sweetness.

10-02-2004, 02:25 PM	#3
McLegend Temporary Posts: 15,590	The oringinal one on FOX was just amazing. It's impoosible to make a cartoon as good has that one was.