| 'The Batman' | |
|---|---|
 The Batman |
|
| Format | Animated television series |
| Created by | Michael Goguen Duane Capizzi (supervising producers) |
| Starring | Rino Romano Alastair Duncan Danielle Judovits Evan Sabara Mitch Pileggi Louis Gossett Jr. |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 60 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 Minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Kids' WB |
| Original run | September 11, 2004 – present |
The Batman is an Emmy Award-winning American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation based on the DC Comics superhero Batman.
Contents |
Overview
Although the series borrows many elements from previous Batman storylines, it does not follow the continuity set by the comic books nor that of the previous Batman: The Animated Series or its spin-offs. Also, the animation style bears a strong resemblance to that of Jackie Chan Adventures (as both are based from designs by artist/producer Jeff Matsuda), with the designs of many characters, like the Joker, the Penguin and the Riddler, being very different from those of their comic counterparts.
Synopsis
Season 1
List of The Batman Season 1 episodes: 2004-2005 In the first season of The Batman, Bruce Wayne (Rino Romano) is 26 years old and in his third year as the Batman, protector of Gotham City. Along with a secret batcave, high tech batmobile, and a new technology he created called the Bat-Wave, he has his trusty butler Alfred Pennyworth (Alastair Duncan), who guides both Bruce Wayne and Batman when needed. Other characters are Ethan Bennett (Steven Harris), a cop who believes Batman is needed in their city, and at odds with Chief Angel Rojas (Edward James Olmos in his initial appearance, Jesse Corti in all his subsequent appearances), who has no room for vigilantes, and Ellen Yin (Ming-Na), Bennett's partner who has a conflict between being by the book and her personal feelings toward Batman and his existence. Both Bennett and Yin are charged with capturing the Batman throughout Season 1. Adam West, who played a campy version of the Caped Crusader in the 1960s Batman TV series, provides the voice for Gotham’s Mayor, Marion Grange for the first four seasons. While crime in Gotham is at an all time low, new foes emerge and Batman confronts his rogues gallery for the first time. The first season featured new interpretations of Batman's villains such as Rupert Thorne (Victor Brandt), The Joker (Kevin Michael Richardson), The Penguin (Tom Kenny), Catwoman (Gina Gershon), Mr. Freeze (Clancy Brown), Clayface (Steve Harris), Firefly (Jason Marsden), Ventriloquist and Scarface (Dan Castellaneta), Man-Bat (Peter MacNicol), Cluemaster (Glenn Shadix), and Bane (Joaquim de Almeida in the first appearance, Ron Perlman in the second appearance). At the end of Season 1, Ethan Bennett turned into Clayface thanks to the Joker. At that time, Yin changed her view on Batman and from that point on the two became allies that continued in the second season.
Season 2
List of The Batman Season 2 episodes: 2005 Season 2 introduced more villains with some being fan favorites, complete brand new origins: a sinister version of Riddler (Robert Englund), Professor Hugo Strange (Frank Gorshin, replaced by Richard Green after Gorshin's death), Rag Doll (Jeff Bennett), a more mystical oriented Spellbinder (Michael Massee), Killer Croc (Ron Perlman), and a thinner Solomon Grundy (Kevin Grevioux). At the end of this season, Ellen Yin is found out to have been working with Batman. At the same time, another main character to the Batman mythos, Commissioner James Gordon (Mitch Pileggi) is introduced in the show along with the Batsignal that is used throughout the show from that point. Gordon changes the GCPD's view of Batman and asks Batman to help him make Gotham a safe place for his daughter. The last episode of the Season is the last one to feature Ellen Yin.
Season 3
List of The Batman Season 3 episodes: 2005-2006 Season 3 introduced a young Barbara Gordon, who becomes Batgirl (Danielle Judovits) and plays a major role along with her father. Barbara tries to be Batman's sidekick, to which Batman doesn't accept the need for a partner until the end of the Season. This differed from the comics as Robin was Batman's sidekick first. This was due to Teen Titans animated series having the character in that show, and was off limits in appearing in other shows, much like the others in Batman's cast other than Batman weren't allowed to appear in Justice League Unlimited. Several brand new villains for the series are introduced this season: Poison Ivy (Piera Coppola) (Barbara's best friend in this continuity), a different version of Gearhead (Will Friedle), a more threatening version of Maxie Zeus (Phil LaMarr), Cosmo Krank/Toymaker (Patton Oswalt), Prank (Michael Reisz) a pre-Harley Quinn sidekick to the Joker, Temblor (Jim Cummings) and D.A.V.E. (Jeff Bennett) - a H.A.R.D.A.C.-like super computer created by Hugo Strange. Season 3 ended with Professor Hugo Strange changing from professor to villain as part of Batman's rogues. Before the season finale, the ending to A Fistful of Felt had Batman uncovered that Strange played with Wesker from curing him to turning him back into a criminal. In Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind, the season finale to Season 3, Strange is brought to justice and becomes a patient in the Arkham. It wasn't until Season 4's Strange New World where it was revealed that Strange went to Arkham only so he could come up with new schemes.
Season 4
List of The Batman Season 4 episodes: 2006-2007
Season 4 was considered, by fans and the producers, as the show's "fan friendly" Season. Season 4 featured a redesign to Bruce Wayne, with a stronger face structure, making him reminiscent of the DC Animated Universe Batman design. Dick Grayson as Robin (Evan Sabara) was finally introduced into the show, as the Teen Titans animated series had been cancelled early in the year before this Season started. Batgirl was now part of the team and found out the secret identities of both Batman & Robin, and Lucius Fox (Louis Gossett Jr.) was introduced in the season finale. More villains appeared such as Tony Zucco (Mark Hamill), Killer Moth (Jeff Bennett), Black Mask (James Remar), Rumor (Ron Perlman), Everywhere Man (Brandon Routh), Harley Quinn (Hynden Walch), Francis Grey (Dave Foley), and a new Clayface (Wallace Langham in the first appearance, Lex Lang in the second appearance).
One of the highlights of Season 4 was a possible future episode Artifacts, that had elements from the Frank Miller Batman: The Dark Knight Returns series. Set in the future of 2027, with the main storyline in 3027, it featured a wheelchair-bound Barbara Gordon as Oracle (Kellie Martin), Dick Grayson as Nightwing (Jerry O'Connell), with both Batman and the Batmobile resembling the versions in Miller's DKR. The season finale featured an alien invasion by entities called The Joining and another superhero from the DC Universe; Martian Manhunter J'onn J'onnz and his alter ego Detective John Jones (Dorian Harewood). The ending of the finale had J'onn bringing Batman to a Hall of Justice Watchtower orbiting the Earth where he introduced him to Hawkman, Green Arrow, Flash and Green Lantern, in the character's cameos, as part of the Justice League of America. This Season also marked the departure of Jeff Matsuda and Michael Jelenic from the show.
Season 5
List of The Batman Season 5 episodes: 2007-2008 Season 5 has been said by producer Alan Burnett to be the show's The Brave and the Bold season. In most of the whole Season, Batman will be teaming up with other superheroes that are, or will be, part of the Justice League. It will be, in a way branching off of the Season 4 finale of Batman teaming up with Martian Manhunter. In the two part season premiere, Batman teamed up with Superman. Hamilton Hill was shown as having replaced Grange as Gotham's Mayor. Other team ups for the season will be Green Arrow (Chris Hardwick), Flash (Charlie Schlatter), Green Lantern (Dermot Mulroney), Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, and a season finale featuring the entire Justice League [1]. Villains for this Season will be a combination of rogues from the superheroes appearing on the show with some Batman villains. Announced so far are: Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown), Mercy Graves (Gwendoline Yeo), Metallo (Lex Lang), Count Vertigo (Greg Ellis), The Wrath, Toyman, Shadow Thief, Sinestro (Miguel Ferrer), Mirror Master (John Larroquette), and the Terrible Trio[2]. Also, Firefly becomes Phosphorus.
Main characters
| Character | First Appearance-Last Appearance | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
"The Bat in the Belfry" - present | Under the cape and cowl can be found a younger Bruce Wayne in his 20s. The media is more likely to catch him courtside at a Gotham Gators game or strapping on a helmet to drive his own racecar for a charity than in front of City Hall cutting a ribbon. But don't confuse the swinging bachelor persona for the real Bruce – he's intense, driven and completely focused on his life's mission to serve as the Dark Knight. Aided by technology he's secretly developed – including the operating system known as the Bat-Wave – and driven by the childhood memory of the loss of his parents, Batman takes to the streets in order to bring Gotham's new breed of super villains to justice. He is voiced by Rino Romano. |
|
"A Matter of Family" - present | After the tragic loss of Dick's parents, Bruce Wayne took young Dick under his wing. To bring justice to the criminal’s responsible for his parents' death; Dick joined The Batman's side as Robin. A young but highly skilled and energetic acrobat, Robin has become an asset to the fight alongside The Batman and Batgirl. In the year 2027, he is seen still aiding Batman and Barbara Gordon, though he now goes under the identity of Nightwing. He is voiced by Evan Sabara. |
|
"Batgirl Begins: Part 1" - present | Batgirl, real name Barbara Gordon, the teenage daughter of Gotham's Commissioner Gordon, is a strong-willed, stubborn teen with an ironic wit. Inspired by her first contact with The Batman, she dons the cape and cowl to become Batgirl to help save her father from the hands of former friend and now villain - Poison Ivy. She eventually gains The Batman's trust and he reveals his secret identity to her. In the year 2027, she is seen in her "Oracle" persona as it appears in the comics: confined to a wheelchair, and using a vast satellite network to advise both Batman and Nightwing. She is voiced by Danielle Judovits |
|
"The Bat in the Belfry" - present | Within the confines of his role as butler to the Wayne estate, Alfred raised Bruce and, on occasion, continues to provide him with veiled wisdom. The cape and cowl are new enough that Alfred is still growing accustomed to them. Thus, we witness his genuine concern for Bruce’s safety when Bruce goes up against the likes of Joker, Penguin, Mr. Freeze and the will of the Rogues Gallery. He is voiced by Alastair Duncan |
|
"Night and the City" - present | The new Commissioner Jim Gordon believes that The Batman is truly a force for good in Gotham City. Unlike Chief Rojas when The Batman is needed, Gordon will gladly allow The Batman to apprehend criminals that are considered highly dangerous and extremely difficult to apprehend.
According to former producer Jeff Matsuda, Gordon is the young officer seen in the flashback in the episode, Traction. He is voiced by Mitch Pileggi |
| "The Bat in the Belfry" - "Night and the City" | For Chief Rojas, The Batman is nothing less than a black eye to his police force. Believing there is no room for vigilante justice in Gotham, Rojas has made capturing the Dark Knight a top priority. He was voiced by Edward James Olmos in his initial appearance, Jesse Corti in all his subsequent appearances. | |
|
"The Bat in the Belfry" - "Clayface of Tragedy: Part 2", "Meltdown", "Grundy's Night", "Clayfaces" | If Bruce Wayne could call anyone his best friend, Ethan Bennett is it. They've been friends since high school. Whereas his partner, Detective Ellen Yin, sees things in black and white, Ethan sees the grey in most everything – and is more willing to allow The Batman to co-exist with the Gotham P.D. After being subjected to a gas from The Joker, Ethan was left physically altered - becoming The Clayface. Bennet became more and more corrupted by his power, making him one of Batman's most unpredictable and tragic adversaries, though he did show remorse and was cured of his condition in Clayfaces. It was implied he becomes Police Chief in the near future during the fourth season episode "Artifacts." He is voiced by Steve Harris. |
|
"The Bat in the Belfry" - "Night and the City" | Detective Ellen Yin is as physically adept as any male cop she knows. Ellen may be new to the Gotham beat, but she's no rookie. Previously head of her department in Metropolis, she transferred to Gotham looking for new challenges. She’s a career cop at the top of her game, true blue and by the book. Not warming to Bruce Wayne so easily, Ellen doesn't have it out personally for The Batman. Yin no longer appeared after Season 2, though it is implied she becomes Police Commissioner in the near future during the fourth season episode "Artifacts." She is voiced by Ming-Na. |
|
"The Joining: Part 1" - present | A friend of Bruce's father. After Bruce became an orphan, Lucius did his best to look after the boy with Alfred. When Bruce begins his vigilante crusade, he help made numbers of his arsenal and gadgets, along with the construction of the Batcave beneath Wayne Manor and the Dark Knight's other safe houses throughout Gotham. He also runs Wayne Enterprises as its CEO. He is voiced by Louis Gossett, Jr. |
Justice League of America
At the conclusion of Season 4's finale "The Joining", Batman is taken to an orbiting satellite (resembling the Hall of Justice from Super Friends) where he meets members of the Justice League of America. Season 5 features the JLA in crossover episodes. In addition, Superman makes his first The Batman appearance in Season 5.
| Character | First Appearance-Last Appearance | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
"The Joining: Pt. 1", "The Joining: Part 2" | The last of the Martians, J'onn J'onzz came to Earth in an attempt to prevent alien race "the Joining" from destroying it. While undercover for the majority of his stay, he eventually joined forces with Batman to destroy the Joining once and for all. It was he who, in the months following the invasion, found other superheroes and created the Justice League, and offered Batman to join. He is voiced by Dorian Harewood |
|
"The Joining: Pt. 2" (nonspeaking), "Ring Toss" (speaking) | In the comics, the Green Lantern is a member of the Green Lantern Corps. The Green Lantern (this incarnation being Hal Jordan) uses his power ring to fly or generate hard light constructs out of his imagination, such as various weapons or defensive shields. He is voiced by Dermot Mulroney. |
|
"The Joining: Pt. 2" (nonspeaking),"What Goes Up..." (Speaking) | In the comics, Hawkman is a Thanagarian warrior who uses alien Nth metal to attain super strength and flight and uses an Nth metal mace as his main weapon. Which Hawkman appears in The Batman is unconfirmed, although Alan Burnett stated this version will be based off of the Silver Age Hawkman Katar Hol, although Hawkman (Carter Hall) is retroactively considered to be Hawkman in this period in modern comics. |
|
"The Joining: Pt. 2" (nonspeaking), "Vertigo" (speaking) | Billionaire playboy and orphan Oliver Queen is Green Arrow, armed with an arsenal of arrows including trick arrows which can serve a variety of purposes, such as grappling hook arrows or explosive arrows. Like Batman, the Green Arrow possesses no inherent superpowers but commands a vast personal wealth, fighting skills and an accuracy with a bow and arrow that is unmatched. His first speaking role was season 5's "Vertigo", in which he battled and took down former employee and old nemesis Count Vertigo. Voiced by Chris Hardwick |
| "The Joining: Pt. 2" (nonspeaking), "A Mirror Darkly" (speaking) | In the comics, the Flash is a mantle used by four superheroes who protect the cities of Central and Keystone City. The Flash is hailed as "the fastest man alive", faster than Superman, derived from the extradimensional "Speed Force", from a which a variety of speed-applied powers originate. When asked about which incarnation of the Flash would be appearing The Batman, Alan Burnett said that he sees Flash as Barry Allen, though they're leaving it up to the viewer. He is voiced by Charlie Schlatter, who voiced a Flash from Superman: The Animated Series, though the Flash on S:TAS is generally believed to be Wally West. | |
|
"The Batman/Superman Story: Part 1", "The Batman/Superman Story, Part 2" | Bumbling Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent is the Man of Steel: Superman. An alien from a destroyed planet called Krypton, he has superpowers from strength, speed to flight thanks to the yellow sun. As he went to Gotham to present a check from Metropolis, Metallo attacked him and this was when he first met Batman. Wanting nothing to do with another superhero, nor the new Justice League, he ended up fighting three of Batman's rogues before becoming being under the control of his foe Lex Luthor. After a fight against Batman from Metropolis to Gotham, Superman was eventually freed from the control and stop Luthor's evil plot. Later, he found a trust with Batman and decided to join the League after all. He is voiced by George Newbern, reprising the role from Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. |
Villains
Batman, Robin and Batgirl have faced a slew of evil doers from the classic Batman Rogue's Gallery. Using some of the comics most famous villains, The Batman has created a unique spin on some classic characters (Poison Ivy’s origins for instance) – while introducing some of their own Arkham Asylum baddies. Nearly every villain in The Batman has considerable skill in hand to hand combat, or at least more than any other incarnation of a given character. In Season 4's episode "Clayfaces", after Basil Karlo is revealed as the second Clayface on the news, two of the diner patrons that flee are parodies of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Rocky from the diner sequence of Superman II. In another Season 4 episode, "Team Penguin", multiple villains team up under the Penguin to fight The Batman. Rag Doll suggests they call their team "Villains United", an allusion to the Villains United comic in the Countdown to Infinite Crisis, of which the second Rag Doll is a member of.
The Batman Strikes!
The Batman Strikes! is a DC comic book series featuring Batman. It is a spin-off comic book series off of The Batman. It is different from other Batman titles in that it is set in the continuity (and style) of the television animated series The Batman as opposed to the regular DC Universe. So far 33 issues of The Batman Strikes!, plus four specials are out.
DVD releases
Crew
- Michael Goguen supervising producer
- Duane Capizzi supervising producer
- Glen Murakami producer
- Jeff Matsuda producer
- Linda M. Steiner producer
- Sander Schwartz executive producer
- Alan Burnett executive producer
- Kimberly A. Smith associate producer
- The Edge theme music creator
Voice actors in relation to other DC Comics interpretations
- Many of the voice actors on The Batman have previously played characters in other interpretations of the Dark Knight, which include:
- Rino Romano, who voiced one of the kidnappers in the opening of Rebirth, the first episode of Batman Beyond, voices the lead character of the show, Batman.
- Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, who voiced Batman and the Joker respectively in Batman: The Animated Series/The New Batman Adventures, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited, voiced John Grayson, Dick Grayson's father and Tony Zucco, again respectively.
- Will Friedle, who voiced Terry McGinnis, the second Batman, in Batman Beyond, voices the villain Gearhead.
- Adam West, who played Batman in the campy 1960s Batman series and voiced the Gray Ghost in Batman: The Animated Series, voiced Gotham's mayor in the first four seasons, Marion Grange.
- Ron Perlman who voiced Clayface in Batman: The Animated Series voices both Killer Croc and Rumor.
- Frank Gorshin, who played The Riddler in the campy 1960s Batman series, voiced Dr. Hugo Strange until his death.
- Kevin Michael Richardson, who voiced The Mutant Leader in the episode Legends of the Dark Knight, and Carlton Duquesne in Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, voices The Joker.
- Tara Strong, who voiced Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in The New Batman Adventures and Gotham Girls, and Raven (comics) in Teen Titans (TV series) voices Vicky Vale.
- Jeff Bennett, who voiced H.A.R.D.A.C. in Batman: The Animated Series, and The Creeper in The New Batman Adventures, voices D.A.V.E., Ragdoll, and Killer Moth.
- Mitch Pileggi, who voiced Dr. Stanton on Batman Beyond and played crime boss Al Hawke on Birds of Prey, voices Commissioner James Gordon.
- Ian Abercrombie, who played Alfred on The WB Network's drama Birds of Prey, voiced the character Ewan, who was Alfred's former friend on the show, on the episode The Icy Depths.
- In addition, actors from other DC Series have played parts in The Batman:
- Jerry O'Connell, who voiced Captain Marvel on Justice League Unlimited., voices Nightwing on the episode Artifacts
- Clancy Brown, who voiced Lex Luthor in Superman: The Animated Series,Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited, voices Mr. Freeze and reprises his role as Luthor in Season 5.
- Jason Marsden, who voiced Snapper Carr in Justice League, Richie Foley/Gear on Static Shock, and a young Clark Kent on Superman: The Animated Series, and played a young Burt Ward/Robin in Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt voices Firefly/Phosphorus.
- Hynden Walch, who voiced Starfire, Blackfire, and Madame Rouge in Teen Titans, Ace on Justice League & Justice League Unlimited, and Young Cassandra on Batman: Gotham Knight, voices Harley Quinn
- Robert Englund, who voiced Felix Faust in Justice League voices The Riddler.
- James Remar, who voiced the the Manhunter robots in Justice League and Hawkman in Justice League Unlimited voices Black Mask.
- Phil LaMarr, who voiced the John Stewart/Green Lantern on Justice League & Justice League Unlimited and Virgil Hawkins/Static on Static Shock, voices Maxie Zeus.
- Peter MacNicol, who voiced Chronos on Justice League Unlimited voices Kirk Langstrom, Man-Bat's human form.
- Glenn Shadix, who voiced Steven Mandragora on Justice League Unlimited and The Brain & Monsieur Mallah on Teen Titans voices Cluemaster.
- Grey DeLisle, who voiced both Downpour and Shifter of the Ultimen on Justice League Unlimited, voices Mary Grayson, Dick Grayson's mother
- Allison Mack, who played Chloe Sullivan in Smallville voices Clea.
- Brandon Routh, who played Clark Kent/Superman in Superman Returns voices The Everywhere Man.
- George Newbern, who voiced Clark Kent/Superman in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited reprised his role as a more aloof Man of Steel in the fifth season.
- Dana Delany, who voiced Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited, reprised her role in Season 5 two-part premiere.
- Lex Lang, who voiced Atomic Skull, Captain Cold and, Heat Wave on Justice League Unlimited, voices Metallo
- Greg Ellis, who voiced Malchior and Punk Rocket on Teen Titans and Drax on Legion of Super Heroes, voices Count Vertigo.
- Charlie Schlatter, who voiced the Wally West/Flash on Superman: The Animated Series voiced the Flash in A Mirror Darkly, though The Batman crew consider their Flash to be Barry Allen.
- Miguel Ferrer, who voiced Weather Wizard, De'Cine, and Aquaman on Superman: The Animated Series, will voice Sinestro
- Victor Brandt, who voiced Professor Emil Hamilton on Superman: The Animated Series, voices Rupert Thorne.
- Richard Green, who voiced Orm on Justice League, took over for the late Frank Gorshin as the voice of Hugo Strange.
- Tom Kenny, who voiced Mumbo and Fixit on Teen Titans and the Fortress Robot in Superman: Doomsday, voices the Penguin.
Awards
The Batman received the Annie Award for Best New Animated Television Show 2004.[3] In 2006, The Batman won two Daytime Emmy awards. One for Outstanding Achievement In Sound Editing and another for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program.[3]
References
- ^ http://www.justiceleagueonfilm.com/2007/09/the-batman-the-.html
- ^ http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=12483
- ^ a b The Batman Awards. Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
External links
- The Batman at the Internet Movie Database
- The Batman at TV.com
- The Batman at WarnerBros.com
- The Batman at The World's Finest
- The Batman at Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond
- The Batman at BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM
- "Batmanimation" The home for all things animated Batman...I Am A Man Of My Word
