Batman team-ups with a smile

On Friday, November 14, the latest Batman animated series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, debuts on Cartoon Network. Aimed at younger audiences than previous shows (even younger than the recent The Batman), this series features a less stern Batman acting as a mentor and leader to various heroes throughout the DC universe, most notably, the new Blue Beetle. You can catch a sneak peek of the series on Cartoon Network's website, and read profiles of the initial set of heroes here. The first group also includes Aquaman, Plastic Man, Red Tornado and Green Arrow.

Here's how supervising producer James Tucker describes the show's demographic and approach:

The target audience for The Brave and the Bold is broadly based. Nevertheless, it works demographically for 6-15 and still appeals to the hard-core comic/animation fan. In addition, of course, we're making it so that anyone who enjoys comic books/ superheroes and is a "kid at heart" will get something out of it. This is just the version of Batman that has been in the comics from shortly after his creation up until some of the darker, grittier versions of his character appeared in the late '80s and onward. Typically, people start telling the story from where his parents are murdered. That's not suitable for what is deemed children's entertainment. This version signals a return to a more innocent time. Batman is a crime fighter and hero first. As a result, Batman can be ironic ­ he can show more sides of himself than if he's just brooding, being gruff and distant to his usual cast of characters. He simply has to be more approachable for the premise of this show to work. Otherwise, why would anyone even bother to work with him? It's pretty much the Batman from the Brave and the Bold comics I read as a kid.

The first episode, "Rise of the Blue Beetle," features both Green Arrow and the Blue Beetle (the Jamie Reyes version, currently appearing in the comics, voiced by Batman Beyond's Will Friedle), whose origin is recounted in the episode. The heroes face JLA space villain Kanjar Ro, seen in the clip.

Animation Round-Up

• Star Wars: Clone Wars, which debuted in theatres hasn't gotten the greatest reviews nor is it doing much box office, but, it still sets the stage for the upcoming animated series of the same name, scheduled to debut on Cartoon Network Friday, October 3 at 9 p.m. ET with a special one-hour presentation.



• Batman: The Brave and the Bold, a new animated series geared towards a younger audience will debut on Cartoon Network in November 2008. The series, with an animation style reminiscent of Golden Age Batman artist Dick Sprang (which also looks similar to the main title animation of the Batman 60s TV series), features the Caped Crusader teaming up with a different hero from the DC Universe in each episode, including many heroes never before seen in animated form -- such as the new Blue Beetle, featured prominently in the trailer. You can see a list of the planned guest stars here.
  

The Wonder Woman animated movie, next in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie series, debuts on DVD in February 2009, featuring the voice of Keri Russell. Based on an original story, the script is co-written by Gail Simone, currently writing the character's comic series. It will be released in rated and unrated version and is expected to be pretty violent. See the trailer at the above link.

• More DC Universe Animated Movies are in the works, though what's after Wonder Woman is still unconfirmed. More Batman is definite, and rumors include Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (presumably based on the the Jeph Loeb/Ed McGuiness story arc of the same name) and Green Lantern. Still being discussed is Justice League: Worlds Collide, a Bruce Timm-verse movie that bridges the gap between the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series. an online Plastic Man series is also supposedly in development. Nothing has been offically announced.
  



• Marvel Animated Features -- Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, featuring the children of the Avengers, as mentored by Tony (Iron Man) Stark was released on DVD on September 2. Up next is Hulk Vs., two shorts featuring the Green Goliath separately fighting Wolverine and Thor, due January. Upcoming releases include Thor: Tales of Asgard and Planet Hulk.
  



• Wolverine And The X-Men is set for a January 2009 debut, alongside Iron Man: Armored Adventures (which features Tony Stark becoming Iron Man as a teenager), on the Nicktoons Network.
  
  

Up Up and Go Away!?

(Spoilers ahead for previous and upcoming Smallville episodes)

On Thursday, September 18, Smallville returns for its eighth season. Let that sink in for a second. A show about the teenage Superman is starting its eighth year. And he’s still not Superman. And I thought I was a procrastinator.

When we last left Clark at the end of the seventh season, he had defeated Brainiac (for now), who still had cousin Kara (aka Supergirl) trapped in the past on Krypton, and was at the Arctic fortress, where Lex finally discovered what he had apparently been too blind to see all along – Clark was a strange visitor from another planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Then the fortress collapsed on them. End of season. And with a cliffhanger like that, it certainly couldn’t be the end of the show. But it was an ending. For some.

When the show returns this Thursday, Lex (Michael Rosenbaum), the show’s best character and central antagonist, will be gone, or "missing" as the show explains. Clark is missing too, but we know he’ll be back, thanks to the efforts of the proto-Justice League – Green Arrow (now a regular), Black Canary (in her second appearance) and Aquaman (in his 3rd or 4th, I lost track). At this point, previous team members Flash/Impulse and Cyborg, are nowhere to be found, their absence perhaps to be explained in the opener. Lana is also gone, having explained to Clark at the end of last season she had to move on so he could embrace his destiny (whatever, I’m just glad she’s gone). Kara is still on Krypton and won’t be back as a regular, though she will be back for at least one episode to wrap up her storyline. Lana, too will be back for a few episodes around mid-season.

This season will find Clark working at the Daily Planet with his
partner/competitor Lois Lane and cub reporter/photographer Jimmy Olsen. That’s right, it’s Lois and Clark, 2.0.

So, that leaves us with Lois, Jimmy and Chloe (Allison Mack), the only main character who does not have a comic book counterpart. As such, she’s good to have around because you’re never sure what’s going to happen to her. Everyone knows that ultimately, Lois, Jimmy, Lana and Lex are safe because they have comic book-established adult lives to still get to. So far the show has lost Pete Ross, who left Smallville (and briefly returned in last season’s worst episode), Jonathan Kent (who died, as he has in several—though not all – versions of the character), Martha Kent (who as a Senator, has left for Washington, D.C. in a complete departure for the character), and Lionel Luthor, Lex’s father, another character created just for the show, who gave viewers a glimpse of what a fully mature Lex Luthor would become, who was killed by Lex, expressly for that purpose – so he could replace him.

So what’s coming up this season, eight years after Clark has first learned that he’s an alien with super powers? Well, still not Superman, though he’s getting much closer (one would hope, wouldn’t one?) This season will find Clark working at the Daily Planet with his partner/competitor Lois Lane (Erica Durance) and cub reporter/photographer Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore). That’s right, it’s Lois and Clark, 2.0.

But, obviously, it’s not exactly the same as the 1993-97 series. First, he’s STILL not Superman. Plus, Chloe’s still around, though his parents are not. Also, a few new regulars debut. As mentioned, Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (Justin Hartley), who appeared only once last season, is now a regular. And there are two new characters to replace Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex – Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman), Lex’s replacement as the head of his company, and Davis Bloome (Sam Witwer), a paramedic who catches Chloe’s eye and is destined to become Doomsday, he character who killed Superman in he comics. How exactly that happens is anybody’s guess, as this is a complete departure from anything that’s come before in the comics.

Chloe, who was arrested by the FBI at the end of last season, just as Jimmy proposed to her, will no longer be at the Daily Planet, instead, picking up where Lana left off, running the Isis foundation, dedicated to helping so-called "meteor freaks," even as she learns to embrace her own inner freak. She will distance herself from Clark, realizing she has been too much of an enabler, hoping that leaving him to his own devices will help him embrace his destiny (there’s that phrase again, get used to it this season). One of the first she will encounter is Plastique, a character from the comics (a Firestorm villain, of all things) who can explode.

This season is the first without original executive producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who instituted the "no flights, no tights" rule of the show, meaning we would never see Clark fly or put on the famous red and blue costume. According to the new showrunners, “The only thing that we are saying is that we can absolutely confirm that there is no tights, so that's pretty much all we can say on that.”

He will also learn the value of a dual identity as he begins to separate "Clark Kent" from the super-powered savior he is beginning to accept that he is. In the past Green Arrow was telling him to use his gifts to make a difference. This season, the roles are reversed, as Clark recognized what he needs to do, just as Green Arrow is having his doubts.

Helping Clark along in his journey is an appearance by comic super-team, the Legion of Superheroes, a team of young heroes from the 31st century who banded together to emulate their past hero, Superman. This episode is written by comics writer Geoff Johns, who has done a LOT of work with the Legion recently, most notably in the current "Legion of Three Worlds," which I wrote about recently. The Martian Manhunter and Brainiac are also expected to make return appearances this season.

I just read that they have a clip show scheduled (now THAT’s a bad sign) and a production break when the network will decide whether or not to bring the show back for another season, so that if this is indeed the last season, they can close it out appropriately. I really do hope that it is, because there has never been a TV series where I more looked forward to the final episode. While all descriptions and interviews suggest that Clark’s indecision will end this season, he’s at least two seasons too late. I want this show to close strong and look forward to the final iconic shot of him in costume, revealing it as he tears away is Clark Kent clothes and taking off to save the day.

There has never been a TV series where I more looked forward to the final episode.

While I will likely continue to watch this show for as long as it; on, I really hope that this is the final season. Lex was the best character on the show, and without him and without Clark actually becoming Superman, the show seems to have little reason to exist. He has been in this limbo state for far too long at his point that it’s even hard to recognize him as a hero. That he’s met almost all of his JLA teammates and faced off against his major enemies – Luthor, Brainiac, Doomsday – and still has not dedicated his life to "Truth, Justice and the American Way" is increasingly frustrating. Meeting the Legion HAS to be the final kick in the ass that he needs.

At least one more appearance by Lex and some way of somehow making everybody forget that Superman looks just like Clark can make this season and series go out on a high note. Short of introducing Batman or Darkseid, I really can’t think of what's left. Bring back Mom Kent for an episode to kick him in the butt, kill off Chloe as the last straw and put him in the costume. If it does continue, get rid of everybody except Lois, Clark and Jimmy, bring back Lex and rename the show Superman. Then go nuts with comic book stuff.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Part 2 - TV and Comics)

Continuing my summary of what I was doing all summer when I wasn't blogging...

As for TV, summertime no longer means reruns. While the networks primarily ran game shows and reality shows (so easily skippable), cable as usual offered great options, though I only followed a few. I watched the premiere episodes of Swingtown and the The Middleman, but didn’t feel compelled to stick with them. As for returning shows, the second season of Mad Men has been fantastic so far, and Monk continues to be a fun diversion, though not quite compelling.

The one new show I added was Jurassic Fight Club from the History Channel, an hour-long documentary series that features paleontologists theorizing how different types of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures battled throughout the world, based on bones and other archaeological evidence, The climax of each episode is a 15-minute re-enactment of the battle in glorious CGI, and it’s pretty brutal stuff. The show became a little repetitive though and while I’m still recording it, I’m not quite as fascinated as I once was. The novelty’s worn off a bit.

But now, it’s post-Labor Day and the new TV season is about to begin. First up is the final season of The Shield, which premiered this past week. The network shows are all back thought September and October, and I’ll hopefully write about the new fall season soon enough – including a preview of what is likely (hopefully?) the final season of Smallville.

Comics

I’ve done a pretty good job of not buying new comics for the past several months after the disappointment of Countdown and the new Justice League book, among other things. My plan to wait for trade is mostly in full effect (not helped of course my this new tendency to put almost everything in hardcover first, making that wait even longer – over a year in some cases). But this summer, DC, or more accurately writers Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns sucked me back in with their summer event, Final Crisis and some related spin-offs.

Final Crisis is about "the day evil wins" and involves a new version of Jack Kirby’s New Gods as envisioned by Grant Morrison in his typical off-kilter fashion. The first issue begins with the death of J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter, and the return of Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash, who was killed back in 1986 in Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC’s first major summer event. So far, it’s been a little hard to follow but I trust Morrison to pull it of in the end.

A little more straightforward is a pair of spin-offs written by Geoff Johns – Rogues' Revenge, about a banded together group of Flash villains and Legion of Three Worlds, which involves a whole bunch of characters, including several continuity challenging versions of the 30th (or 31st) Century’s Legion of Superheroes, as well as Superman and Superboy Prime, one of the villains from 2006’s Infinite Crisis ,who was first introduced around the first aforementioned Crisis, though he was a good guy at the time. The story promises to impact future storylines in books featuring Superman, Flash and Green Lantern, as well as the Legion. With art by the incomparable George Perez (also of the again aforementioned 1986 Crisis), this appears to be just a fun book.

Final Crisis, Rogue’s Revenge and maybe even Legion of Three Worlds (at least one speedster is likely to make a comeback in this story) all provide the prelude to the return of Barry Allen in the Flash: Rebirth, also by Johns, coming later this year. This is another book that I will have a hard time waiting for the collection. Just about everything else coming though, I can wait.

One of these days I may REALLY quit.

We’ll see...

Shedding light on the Dark Knight

The Dark Knight opens in less than three weeks, and the full-court marketing press is on. Among the coolest promotions is from Comcast. For those with Comcast's digital cable, you can see trailers, mini documentaries, special "newscasts" and even one of the six animated segments from Batman: Gotham Knight, the animated DVD feature due out July 8, through On Demand (check "Movies & Special Events').

But even if you don't have digital cable, you can still see some of the Comcast goodies. Just go to the dedicated mini-site for some of the same documentaries and trailers.

Elsewhere are actor, writer and director interviews that help set the stage for the sequel. Most notably, you can read these interviews with star Christian Bale, co-star Aaron Eckhart, director Christoher Nolan and writers, David Goyer and Jonathan Nolan.

You can see five minutes from another segment of Batman: Gotham Knights here.

Finally, here's an early mainstream review (from Rolling Stone) that will make you just want July 18 to get here quicker!

New trailer for "Star Wars: Clone Wars"

If you thought you'd never get to see new Star Wars on the big screen, may the Force be with you. On August 15, Star Wars: Clone Wars, a computer animatred sequel to the last big screen chapter, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith opens in theatres. Here's the trailer.


The movie release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars leads directly into this fall's premiere of a weekly, animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series on Cartoon Network, followed by airings on TNT.

Trailer for new X-Men toon

Here's the trailer for the new Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon, scehduled to debut in 2009 on Nicktoons.

TJ Hooker!

Nobody does fake stunts like Shatner! This is so funny!

The Redwalls on Letterman in January

R.E.M. on the Colbert Report

Funny interview and great performance ("Supernatural Superserious") by R.E. M. last week on The Colbert Report.

Batman: Brave and the Bold officially announced for Cartoon Network

Batman isn't going at it alone this time! From Warner Bros. Animation comes the latest interpretation of the Batman franchise. Our caped crusader is teamed up with heroes from across the DC Universe, delivering nonstop action and adventures with a touch of comic relief. Blue Beetle, Green Arrow, Aquaman and countless others will get a chance to uphold justice alongside Batman. Though still based in Gotham, Batman will frequently find himself outside city limits, facing situations that are both unfamiliar and exhilarating. With formidable foes around every corner, Batman will still rely on his stealth, resourcefulness and limitless supply of cool gadgets to bring justice home.

Smallville Update - SPOILERS

Do not read if you don't want upcoming plot points ruined for you.

The biggest news about Smallville is that last week the CW announced it will be coming back for an 8th season. So who will be back? Well, definitely, Clark, Lois, Jimmy and Kara (see left, because, really, who wants to look at Tom Welling on this site?). That leaves out Lex, Lionel, Chloe and Lana.

Kristin (Lana) Kreuk apparently has already apparently made arrangements to return for at least a few episodes, and now Michael (Lex) Rosenbaum, who had been saying he was done after Season 7, has also recently stated that he may come back occasionally. The status of Chloe and Lionel are unknown (see below). James Marsters, who returns as Braniac on March 27, has also stated he would like to return next season.

Now, how about this season? First, returning this week -- Pete Ross, who becomes his very own "freak of the week." What else happens when Brainiac comes back? Kara teaches Clark to fly! Of course, we don't know how good a teacher she is.

Then, on the April 17the episode, according to TV Guide, someone dies! Remember, a few paragraphs ago, when I said we don't know what's up for Chloe and Lionel next season? You know, the two characters who are not part of the ongoing Superman mythos? Well, chances are really good one of them will be dying on April 17th. They can't kill Lex, Lois (below, because, really, who wants to look at Aaron Ashmore on this site?), Jimmy or Supergirl. They have long comic book destinies ahead of them.

Late last year, DC Comics announced they were introducing Chloe to the "Superman" comics, but guess what happened about a month later -- they changed their minds -- no Chloe in the comics. That's not a good sign. Of course, I don't think Lionel is going to last forever either.

So, welcome back Smallville, everything's going to change real soon.

New Spidey toon debuts this weekend

This weekend, sees not only the the two-part finale of The Batman, but the two-part opener of The Spectactular Spider-Man. See the trailer here.

Hour long Batman finale features JLA

This weekend, the two-part series finale of The Batman guest-stars -- for the first and only time on the show -- the entire Justice League of America -- Superman, the Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman and the Martian Manhunter -- as they battle the Joining, the alien invaders that were first seen in the two-part 4th season finale that concluded with Batman meeting the JLA for the first time.

This new two-parter marks the end of the series. Executive producer Alan Burnett, gave a final interview about the series here, where he talks about how the show evolved:

... the changes in The Batman were pretty organic. The first season he was a complete loner. By the second season he was accepted by the police. The third season added Batgirl. The fourth, Robin. This season, the JLA. The fourth season was probably the darkest, blessedly so. We thought it was going to be the last season. When the network gave us the go-ahead for a fifth season, they wanted us to get a little more kid-friendly again.

While still only a rumor, this is likely not the end of animated televison Batman adventures, as a new series that tfetures Batman teaming up with a different guest hero episode, as the Brave and the Bold comic did in the '60s through the '80s. hiopefully, we'll hear more during hte summer convention season.

In the meantime, we don't have to wait long for new anmated Batman, as the DVD Batman: Gotham Knight debuts on July 8, just a few weeks before the Dark Knight hits theatres. A series of six short stories written by comics and other genre writers, and directed in anime style by famous anime directors, this new animated venture features the return of Kevin Conroy, known as the voice of Batman for over a decade, starting with Batman: the Animated Series in 1992, up through Justice League Unlimited, which ended in 2006. It's not clear if Conroy will be the feature voice of Batman in all six stories, or in fact, if he is even voicing Batman, but his involvement was confirmed during a recent interview at the San Francisco WonderCon while promoting the DVD release of Justice League: The New Frontier.

Strike's Over! What's back when and how many?

Nw that the writers; strike is over, the biggest question is when will new episodes air -- and how many? TV Guide has updated the chart I linked to a few weeks ago, and renamed it the "Strike Recovery Chart" -- and it answers those questions pretty thoroughly, so check it out here.

Here's a few standouts --

• Saturday Night Live is back on Feb. 23 -- and Tina Fey is hosting
• Speaking of Fey, 5 or 6 new episodes of 30 Rock will start airing on April 10
• NBC's other Thursday night comedies are also returning on April 10 -- 6 episodes of The Office and 4 remaining episodes of Scrubs (the fate of the final to-be-shot episodes of Scrubs is undetermined)
• My Name is Earl returns a week earlier with 8-10 episodes, possibly including more hour- long eps. Ugh.
• The Unit and Chuck are done for the season, but both should be back in the fall
• But not Bionic Woman or Journeyman -- both are cancelled
• 6 new episodes of CSI will begin on April 3
• 4 pre-strike episodes of Smallville have not aired; 5 new ones will be shot to air in April and May
• The air date for the final season of The Shield has yet to be announced

"Star Wars: The Clone Wars" to debut in theatres

Update: here's a new trailer.

Now here is some pretty cool news! The CG-animated series that takes place between Episodes 2 and 3 of the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, will debut as a feature film in theatres on August 15 before moving to television on the Cartoon Network and TNT in Fall 2008. A behind-the-scenes documentary with plenty of footage from the series can be seen here.

From the announcement:

On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old will join such favorite characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala along with brand-new heroes like Anakin's padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains -- led by Darth Sidious, Count Dooku and General Grievous -- are poised to rule the galaxy. Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights. Their exploits lead to the action-packed battles and astonishing new revelations that fill Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Thirty 30-minute episodes have already been produced, and production continues on even more.

New Captain America interviewed on "Good Morning America"

In Marvel Comics last week, a new gun-toting Captain America replaced the slain Steve Rogers, his former sidekick, and once-thought-dead Bucky Barnes. He answered a few questions for Good Morning America. See the interview here.

Ealier last week, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada also promoted the new Cap on The Colbert Report.

Shield's final season delayed and TV show strike countdown

Even though all 13 episodes of The Shield's final season were completed before the writers' strike could affect its production, it looks like the FX cop drama is remaining undercover a while longer anyway. There's now talk that the show won't have its season premiere until after the Olympics, which end Aug. 24.

Meanwhile, with the writers’ strike still ongoing, it won’t be too much longer before there’s no new scripted (that is, not reality or game show) programming on the air at all. But just how much is left? Tv Guide has compiled a chart, updated as of January 30, that tells us how many new episodes of most TV are left to air.

You can find the whole rundown here, but here are a few relevant ones for me and the few readers of this blog.

Shows that have no remaining episodes produced for this season

• 30 Rock
• Bionic Woman
• Chuck
• CSI
• Heroes
• My Name is Earl
• The Office
• The Unit
  

Depressing, isn’t it? But don’t worry. There are still some non-reality shows left:

• Lost: 8 episodes left -- starting tomorrow
• Smallville: 6 left -- starting tomorrow
• Scrubs: 5 left
• Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: 6 left
• Reaper: 3 left

Particularly bummed about The Shield delay, but oh, well, guess i'll read a book or something.

And Your Bird Can Sing

Smallville is back with new episodes starting January 31, feauring the return of Brainiac (James Marsters). Even better, the following week, Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) comes back, and he's bringing a friend:
That's right: The Black Canary, complete with sonic scream. Here's how the episode, called "Siren", is described:

While secretly working for Oliver (guest-star Justin Hartley), Chloe (Allison Mack) intercepts one of Lex's (Michael Rosenbaum) project files, but she is attacked by the Black Canary (guest-star Alaina Huffman), a mystery woman with a subsonic cry. Dinah Lance, Black Canary's alter ego, is a conservative talk show host who is working at the Daily Planet and clashes with Lois (Erica Durance). Lex convinces the Black Canary that the Green Arrow and his team are terrorists so she launches an attack on the Green Arrow and Clark (Tom Welling). Meanwhile, Lois discovers Oliver's secret.

Yay fishnets!

RIP Sam the Butcher

Allan Mellvin, character actor and and cartoon voice artist, has died at age 84.

Best known as Sam the butcher, housekeeper Alice's sometime-boyfriend on The Brady Bunch, also was the voice of Hanna Barbera cartoon character Magilla Gorilla, among many other characters for the studio.

He was also well known as Archie Bunker's friend Barney on All in the Family.

Melvin's voice appeared in other cartoons, including The Flintstones, The Smurfs and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends . He also served as a writer on the Beetle Bailey animated series, for which he played Sgt. Snorkle.