[lawilson2]

They re-introduced the Superman/Batman theme, and I like it. I think that the whole Justice League element they are adding to the show will definitely work.

 

[Peter000]

Other than some really nice looking artwork, this Batman series pales in comparison to the Dark Knight series in the nineties. The stories are way more shallow (and they weren't that deep to begin with), and the characters are too.

That being said, I enjoyed seeing Supes. It was nice also to hear some familiar voices do their characters again (Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor). It was good fun Saturday morning cartoon time.

 

[lawilson2]

Well, it IS Kids WB. I don't expect the same quality as before, although I do like the darker looking characters (although not shown in this new episode).

I'm just glad that it's back on.

 

[robpickles]

But i dont like the 'goofy' Clark Kent character.

I liked the old Clark Kent from the Superman Animated Series better.

Rob

 

[Graymalkin]

Nice to have the JLA back -- I wasn't happy when "Justice League Unlimited" was cancelled.

 

[lawilson2]

Nice to have the JLA back -- I wasn't happy when "Justice League Unlimited" was cancelled.

I still have that as an SP; wishful thinking perhaps? Of course, I still have Teen Titans and Static Shock as SP's too.

 

[PJO1966]

Great way to start the season. Add me to the group that was happy to hear some familiar voices, especially Superman's.

 

[doom1701]

This show has gone from drek that I couldn't stand to watch, to something I usually watch the same day it airs. While the decision to go with the goofy Clark Kent is different than what we've seen in previous animated series, it's not like they're just pulling that character out of thin air. I don't mind it at all--in fact, in some ways it's better. Did anyone notice how scrawny Clark is in "The Batman" compared to the ultra-buff Clark in the Batman/Superman Adventures?

 

[Graymalkin]

I don't much like the anorexic take on Lois Lane, although her facial expressions are much livelier.

 

[Peter000]

I don't much like the anorexic take on Lois Lane, although her facial expressions are much livelier.

That's pretty much the animation style; seems like all the women are portrayed as ultra-skinny and/or gangly.

 

[JYoung]

It certainly seemed that they modeled Clark Kent after Brandon Routh's portrayal.
(Note that Routh did the voice of "The Everywhere Man" last year.)

I did laugh when Batman says (about Superman) "Not much of a conversationalist."
And Robin says, "You're one to talk."

 

[anom]

Well, it IS Kids WB. I don't expect the same quality as before, although I do like the darker looking characters (although not shown in this new episode).

The last series was Kids WB too.

 

[doom1701]

It certainly seemed that they modeled Clark Kent after Brandon Routh's portrayal.

That's not surprising, considering that "The Batman" has kept it's universe somewhat similar to the current universe of the movies.

 

[hanumang]

The last series was Kids WB too.

Only after the design revamp - making it The New Adventures of Batman & Robin - was it a Kids WB! show. When it was simply Batman: The Animated Series, it was produced for Fox.

Bruce Timm & company, in commentaries for the DVD sets, even talk about how 'dark' the show is in the early years. Though, to be fair, they mostly attribute the darkness as something that made sense, dictated by the 'art deco' visual style. But they always big-up Fox for not giving them too many notes about 'lightening' the show up...

As for The Batman, I think the show has been on a serious uptick ever since they introduced Robin. As for this episode, count me as in the minority - I wish they would have recast the voices. Having Supes look like Brandon Routh, yet sound like JLU Supes was way too jarring. But a minor complaint, I'm looking forward to part 2.

 

[anom]

Only after the design revamp - making it The New Adventures of Batman & Robin - was it a Kids WB! show. When it was simply Batman: The Animated Series, it was produced for Fox.

Fox Kids. It was always produced as a Saturday morning cartoon. They briefly repurposed in primetime after it got a warm critical reception, but the ratings were horrible.

 

[hanumang]

Fox Kids. It was always produced as a Saturday morning cartoon. They briefly repurposed in primetime after it got a warm critical reception, but the ratings were horrible.

Actually, it was a weekday afternoon cartoon during it's run on Fox (again, Timm & Co talk on the DVDs about the expectations being different than if it actually was a Sat morning thing). After all, they produced (and aired) 65 episodes for season 2, way too many for a Saturday morning cartoon.

For what it's worth, I'm not arguing that it wasn't aimed at kids - of course it was! - but WB Animation was aiming a little higher than they currently are with The Batman.

 

[Peter000]

As for The Batman, I think the show has been on a serious uptick ever since they introduced Robin. As for this episode, count me as in the minority - I wish they would have recast the voices. Having Supes look like Brandon Routh, yet sound like JLU Supes was way too jarring. But a minor complaint, I'm looking forward to part 2.

Did they use the same voice for Supes? (Just re-watched a bit) Yeah, the first time around it seemed totally different, now I'm hearing it. But now Jimmy sounds different than the original too. I must be losing my ear.

Anyone know who voiced the Mayor? It sounded vaguely similar to Michael Rosenbaum. They didn't specify in the credits.

 

[hanumang]

Did they use the same voice for Supes? (Just re-watched a bit) Yeah, the first time around it seemed totally different, now I'm hearing it. But now Jimmy sounds different than the original too. I must be losing my ear.

George Newbern - who voiced Supes in Justice League/Justice League Unlimited - also voiced Superman/Clark Kent for (at least) this episode. The voices of Lois (Dana Delany) and Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown) are the same from S:TAS/JL/JLU. Not sure why Jimmy's voice is new though.

Don't know about the Mayor...

 

[JYoung]

But what happened to Mayor West?

 

[Peter000]

This was pre-West.