Shout cover for Gotham "Red Hood"

Think Up Anger featuring Malia J. covers the Depche Mode song "Shout" for the upcoming episode of Gotham "Red Hood" (February 23rd).

 

 



History of Animated Series of DC Comics Superhero teams

  Here I include Justice League, Young Justice and Teen Titans.

 

Super Friends (1973-1974) 

Super Friends first aired on ABC on September 8, 1973, featuring the well known DC characters Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. Superman, Batman and Aquaman had each previously appeared in their own animated series produced by Filmation, and voice talent from these prior programs was brought over to work on the new show. In addition to the superheroes, a trio of sidekicks was introduced, each of whom were new characters not drawn from the comic books: Wendy Harris, Marvin White  and Wonderdog.

 

 The All-New Superfriends Hour (1977-1978)

The All-New Super Friends Hour ran from September 10, 1977, to September 2, 1978, on ABC. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera and is based on the Justice League and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics. In this particular incarnation of the Super Friends, the DC Comic book legends Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman and Aquaman return to fight for justice. However, this time, they get help from the shape-shifting super-teens Zan and Jayna (a.k.a. The Wonder Twins), along with their space-monkey Gleek. Also included were new heroes created for the series such as Samurai, Apache Chief and Black Vulcan. Existing characters included Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, The Flash and Rima the Jungle Girl.

Justice League (2001-2004)

Justice League ran from 2001 to 2004 on Kids WB and Cartoon Network. It is part of the DC animated universe. The main team included Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern (John Stewart) and Martain Manhunter.

 

Justice League Unlimited (2004-2006)
Justice League Unlimited (JLU) aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the previous Justice League animated series. JLU debuted on July 31, 2004 on Toonami and ended with the episode aired May 13, 2006. It was also the final series set in the long-running DC animated universe, which started with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. It included canon from B:TAS, S:TAS, Batman Beyond, Static Shock and the Zeta Project.

 

 Teen Titans (2003-2006)

Teen Titans is an American TV show based on the DC Comics characters of the same name, that premiered on Cartoon Network and The WB in 2003. It is based primarily on the run of stories by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez in the early-1980s New Teen Titans comic book series. The show was created by Glen Murakami, developed by David Slack, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It premiered on Cartoon Network on July 19, 2003 and ended January 16, 2006, with the film Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo serving as the series finale. The main team included Robin, Starfire, Beastboy, Raven and Cyborg. It introduced Guatemalan twins Mas y Menos.

 

Young Justice (2010-2013)

Young Justice (dubbed Young Justice: Invasion for the second season) was created by Brandon Vietti and Greg Weisman for Cartoon Network. Despite its title, it is not a direct adaptation of Peter David, Todd Dezago and Todd Nauck's Young Justice comic series, but rather an adaptation of the entire DC Universe with a focus on young superheroes. The Team included Superboy, Robin (Dick Grayson and then Tim Drake), Kid Flash (Wally West), Aqualad, Miss Martian, Speedy, Zantana, Artemis and Rocket. The main setting is the fictional universe of Earth-16, during a time period in which superheroes are a relatively recent phenomenon. The series ended alongside fellow DC Nation show Green Lantern: The Animated Series after its second season came to a conclusion during spring 2013.

 

Teen Titans (2013-)

Teen Titans Go! was announced following the popularity of DC Nation's New Teen Titans shorts, both of which are based on the 2003 Teen Titans TV series. Teen Titans Go! is a more comedic take on the DC Comics franchise, dealing with situations that happen outside of saving the world.

The original principal voice cast returns to reprise their respective roles. The series is rated TV-PG for sci-fi violence, rude humor, and suggestive content

 



75 of Batman: History of Animated Series

Even though Batman first appeared animated in Super Friends, and also appeared in Justice League, I am only covering the series that were solely about Batman (or in the case of "Gotham Girls" was set in same world as the original 1992 series).

 

Batman: The Animated Series/The Adventures of Batman and Robin (1992-1995)

Originally ran from 1992 to 1995 on the Fox Kids Network, it is considered one of the best. It spearheaded the Fox Kids craze, being the popular and brought on classics like Tiny Toons, Bobby's World, Power Rangers, Animaniacs and so on. This cartoon was sort of based on Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) and spawned the theatrical release "Batman: Mask of the Phantom" in 1993. It also gave the world Harley Quinn. Dick Grayson's Robin had a similar costume to Tim Drake's from the comics at the time and he was romantically linked to Barbara Gordon's Batgirl. For season two, it was changed to "The Adventures of Batman and Robin." This also spun-off to "The New Batman Adventures" and web series "Gotham Girls."

 

The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999)

Three years after the second season of Batman: The Animated Series ended production, the show was moved (as The New Batman Adventures) from Fox to The WB channel, which was airing and producing Superman: The Animated Series. According to the reference book Batman Animated, series writer Paul Dini originally wanted the new show to be titled Batman: Gotham Knights, but this idea was rejected by the other producers. This series introduced Tim Drake as Robin and Dick Grayson as Nightwing.

 

Batman Beyond (1999-2001)

Batman Beyond depicting teenager Terry McGinnis as a new Batman in a futuristic Gotham City under the tutelage of an elderly Bruce Wayne that aired on Kids WB. Will Friedle (Boy Meets World) played Terry. Among the live-action films proposed between the critical failure of Batman & Robin and the reboot of the Batman franchise was a live-action Batman Beyond feature, to be written by Paul Dini but it was let go. In April 2014, a Batman Beyond short by Darqyn Cooke that airs on Cartoon Network, which saw Conroy and Friedle reprise their roles from the show.

Gotham Girls (2002)

Gotham Girls is an American Flash animation series about the females of Gotham City in 2002. Episodes starred Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Batgirl, Catwoman and Zatanna in short stories. The series lasted for three seasons (10 episodes each), with each episode released month-by-month. Third Season dropped the Zatanna from its lineup and adding Detective Renee Montoya, each episode from this series tied into the next, forming a collective thirty-minute whodunit. The storyline also dealt with issues not seen since Batman: The Animated Series, such as the corruption of the Gotham City Police Department, Poison Ivy's environmental crusade, Commissioner Gordon's wavering faith in costumed superheroes and Det. Selma Reesedale, a character revealed early on to be a male-to-female transsexual.

The Batman (2004-2008)

The Batman ran from September 11, 2004 to March 22, 2008, on Kids' WB. Although the series borrows many elements from previous Batman storylines, it does not follow the continuity set by the comic books, the film series, nor that of Batman: The Animated Series and its spin-offs. The character designs were provided by Jackie Chan Adventures artist Jeff Matsuda; he also directed the ending. Barbara tries to be The Batman's sidekick, but he refuses to accept the need for a partner until the end of the season. This differed from the comics, in which Robin was The Batman's first sidekick; this was due to the Teen Titans animated series using the character, limiting his ability to appear in other shows. Robin later premiered in Season 4 after Teen Titans was cancelled.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008-2011)
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain. As the title suggests, the cartoon focuses on Batman's regular "team-ups" with various heroes similar to the most well-known version of the original comic book series. The series premiered on November 14, 2008 on Cartoon Network and ended on November 18, 2011.

Beware the Batman (2013-2014)
Beware the Batman was computer-animated and premiered on Cartoon Network on July 13, 2013, as part of their DC Nation block. It is the replacement for Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Beware the Batman was pulled from the Cartoon Network schedule and put on hiatus on October 23, 2013 without explanation. The series returned to Cartoon Network via Adult Swim's Toonami block on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 3:00am; Toonami plans to air all 26 episodes starting from the beginning.
 



Top 5 Superheronies who need Films

I always love superheronies and always think there should be women-lead superhero or action movies. There have been quite a few but of course none where hits or concerned 'successes' like Elektra, Catwoman, Ultraviolet, Tank Girl, Resident Evil and Aeon Flux. Resident Evil is a moderate success, spawning various sequels. But inspired by the article below here are 5 I believe deserve movies, not only comic books but TV shows and manga.

 

HitFix.com's "10 Superheronies who need a Movie."

Source: http://www.hitfix.com/news/marvel-studios-has-scripts-for-ms-marvel-and-a-new-blade-movie 

 

5. Sailor Moon

This can be a thorny issue with fans. For those who don't know, she is an Anime superstar. Having started in Manga back in 1992, her Anime was dubbed in various countries like the United States in 1995. She had a live-action series in Japan in 2003. An English North American Live-Action film was rumored back in 1995, I still think it would work and be cool to have one. But there are so many issues. How can you take seriously an American movie with teenage girls in skirts and leotards spinning around?

 

 4. Spider-Woman

Many women have been Spider-Woman in the comics but the first--Jessica Draw, is the most interesting. She is part of Hydra and victim of genetic experiments and her loyalty questioned. Unlike Spider-Man, she is an adult and has her own fighting techniques. I think concentrating on her differences from Spider-Man and separating her from Peter would be better. She can also be launched from Avengers.

 

3. Batwoman

Batwoman has been recreated recently as Lesbian heroine who fights more magic-influenced villains than Batman and doesn't rely on him to fight evil in Gotham. I think it would be interesting to concentrate on this version of her. Now where a Lesbian lead character in an action franchise would be a hard sell, but stranger things have happened. Now why Batwoman should have a movie other than Batgirl because like Robin and Nightwing, Batgirl sort of relies on Batman. And what with two and possible three film franchises of Batman, it is better to step away from him.

 

 

 2. Ms. Marvel/Captain Marvel

Linda Darvens a.k.a Ms. Marvel and now Captain Marvel. She is the source of Rogue's powers in X-Men comics. She has had different origin stories through time. I was hoping she'd appear on Avengers 2 but it looks like she might not but who knows. I think simplifying her origin story and powers should be done. There was confusion over Green Lantern's powers in his film because they aren't so concrete. I think they should concentrate on her humanity.

 

1. Wonder Woman

The most wanted and the one in development hell. Joss Whedon was once attached by Warner Bros and then let go. It is a tough cookie to bake but there was a TV series in the 70's by Linda Carter. Basic story is that she is an Amazon from an island of women and comes to our world, not knowing much of it and having superstrength, a lasso of truth, bracelets and an invisible plane. I think an experienced actress but not big name actress should lead it, probably someone in her 30's, not someone too young.

Dark Knight Rises Review

I didn't read any spoilers before seeing the movie so this article is only for those who say the movie.

SPOILERS
See this movie!

 I might be morbid but I can't help but think that this is the last movie that the victims of the shooting saw or were going to watch. So many issues of gun use ran through my head while watching the movie. Even Selena Kyle (Anne Hathaway) comments to Batman that she doesn't get his non-gun use. So if you saw the movie you know the basic plot: Bruce is disillusioned and a broken shell of a man until robbed by Kyle. He slowly starts 'getting back in the game' only to loose all his money in the stock market thanks to Bane, pupil of Ra's Al Ghul (Liam Neeson, who made a cameo) and crazy motherfucker. He gets terrorists and take over the city after beating up Batman. Bruce is sent to a prison where he heard tale of a child who climbed up the well-like prison and assumes it is Bane. With a three times is a charm in a long spiraling story, Bruce goes through his own spiritual and physical journey and somewhat metamorphosis.

 I cried in the scene where Alfred is saying goodbye to Bruce, pleading for him to leave the Bat Cowl but Bruce refuses. Alfred talks about raising Bruce and hearing his baby cries at night echoing in the halls. Joseph Gordon Levitt is also a delight as hot shot police officer that figured out Bruce's identity because of his own orphaned past and close-up encounters with both Bruce and Batman. The only mistake (and I don't notice that many when I watch movies) I noticed in the movie was a minor glitch where Bruce's hand moves on his cane when first talking to Fox (Morgan Freeman) about the company. There were plenty of 'duh' moments and 'I expected that' but it is sort of excusable. Hathaway and Bale have electric chemistry and great banter. Some great one-liners. The 'challenge of soul and body' is a bit trite and overplayed and is manipulative but the harsh realism is what gets to me. C. Murphy also makes a cameo, marking his appearance in all three movies. 

I didn't get the title of the movie until I saw it. Dark Knight was the name of the last movie so 'Rises' felt like a redundant add-on but after seeing the movie, I get it. You can't top Heath Ledger's Joker but Tom Hardy's Bane is smart and lethal (even though he sounds like Patrick Stewart on helium on times or hard to understand). Joseph Gordon Levitt does a great job and half way through the movie, I already figured out the ending. As for Bruce Wayne's 'death,' the woman next to me was crying loudly and I was like... 'really?' Anyway, the movie had that awesome pay-back with Alfred spotting a familiar couple at the end of the movie. I didn't like much the actress who played Miranda (Marion Cotillard), she can play damsel in distress but not evil seductress. Matthew Modine as Foley look a bit like Harvey Dent from far away that it got confusing at times. Anyway, awesome end to the trilogy!

Batman en Español

These days when a American show is translated in Spanish, the main characters' names are unaltered. But back when before 1990, it is very common for the dubbers to change the names of characters to a more language-friendly name, much like in Anime dubs before 2000. For example, the Flintstones are known as los Picapiedras; Fred is Pedro and Barney Rubble is Pablo Marmol. So since I know Spanish and Batman is coming out soon, I decided to share with ya'll the character name changes of Batman and his villains.

El Guasón

While he is called The Joker in other Spanish properties, he is known as 'El Guason' in Latin America. In the American Dominos Pizza commercials in Spanish, he is referred to by this name. It is a literal translation, Guason is a Joker.

Mientras que él se llama 'The Joker' en otras propiedades en Español, él es conocido como "El Guason" en Latino América. En los comerciales Americanos de Dominos Pizza en Español, él es refiedo con este nombre.


Gatúbela
Batman's romantic tease, the woman he thinks he can change but she may be just playing with him. Gato means cat, Gatubela is merely a playing with the word and it emphasizes she is female and also means she can scratch you. I dunno how, but that's been what has been imprinted in my head since I was a kid.

La conquista romántica de Batman, la mujer que él piensa que él puede cambiar, pero ella puede ser simplemente jugando con él. Gatubela no es más que un juego con la palabra Gato y se hace hincapié en que ella es una mujer y también significa que ella te puede rascar. Yo no se cómo, pero eso es lo que se ha impreso en mi cabeza desde que era chico.

El Acertijo/Enigma
In Spain, the Riddler is called Enigma. While in Latin America, he is known as El Acertijo. A riddle is an Acertijo, an Enigma is pretty self-explanatory. In some translations of the comic strip, he has been given the name of El Esfinge (The Sphinx) by mythological beings who wondered riddles to passengers.

En España, el Riddler se llama Enigma. Mientras que en Latino América, el es conocido como El Acertijo. Un Acertijo es un riddle en Ingles, un enigma es bastante auto-explicativo. En algunas traducciones del cómic, se le ha dado el nombre de El Esfinge de seres mitológicos que los enigmas se pregunta a los pasajeros.

Pretty explanatory names are El Espantapájaros (Scarecrow), which is a true translation. Espanta is scare and Pájaro is bird. El Pingüino is the Penguin, Dos Caras is Two Face, Sr. Frío is Mr. Freeze and Batgirl is Batichica. Hiedra Venenosa is Poison Ivy, straight-forward. Clay Face is Carra de Barro, which is basically 'Face of Mud.' In a couple of countries, Bruce Wayne is Bruno Díaz and Dick Grayson is Ricardo Tapia. Ala Nocturna is Nightwing, Nocturna is Nocturnal.

Nombres bastante explicativos son El Espantapájaros (Scarecrow), que es una traducción verdadera. Scare es a Espantar y crow es un pájaro, bueno un Cuervo. El Pingüino es el Penguin, Two Face es Dos Caras, Sr. Frío es Mr. Freeze y Batgirl es Batichica. Hiedra Venenosa es Poison Ivy, que es muy sencillas. Carro de Barro es Clay Face, 'clay' es arcilla. El nombre original de Bruno Díaz es Bruce Wayne y Ricardo Tapia era Dick Grayson. Ala Nocturna era Nightwing, Night significa noche.

Batmans got a new bag and kids don't mind

My nephew is 4 and my niece is 2, they love superhero movies and besides Spider-Man, Power Rangers, Superman, the Fantastic Four and the Justice League, they love Batman. Well it's like Batman is #2. Anyhoo, they don't care what he is wearing, they just love him, so shouldn't we?

Also, it seems Maggie Gyllenhaal (taking over for Katie) and Aaron Eckhart will also be in The Dark Knight.

Christian Bale and Michael Caine again in a Christopher Nolan Film: The Prestige

The last film Christopher Nolan did was Batman Begins, the last actors he has worked with was Christian Bale and Michael Caine and it was the said film he worked with them.

For Trailer click here

Now in the Prestige, Christian Bale and monsterhunk Hugh Jackman play competing magicians. Michael Caine plays their assistant Cutter. Scarlett Johnansson, David Bowie and Andy Serkis (Gollum from The Lord of The Rings) are also in the film.

Batwoman Special

It has been announced that the Batwoman/Kathy Kane will return to DC Comics after a 27 year abscence. She will be featured in the 11th issue of 52 which is set after Infinite Crisis in a world where Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman have retired. But the biggest kicker is that she will be a lesbian and ex-lover of Detective Renee Montoya. 52 hosts many multi-cultural versions of DC heroes such a Mexican Blue Beetle, African-American Firestorm and Asian The Atom.

Alex Ross drew up the new costume and here is more in this article! He even reveals this design was for a re-vamp for Barbara Gordon Batgirl that her spine was going to return thanks to Lazarus Pit. Much to my disapointment, he didn't change much from Batgirl to Batwoman, not even the color which he reveals the red was going to be reference to the Lazarus Pit.

Here is some history on Batwoman:
Kathy Kane was introduced in the Silver Age of DC Comics in Issue #233 (July 1956) of Detective Comics. She mostly guested and was involved because many readers inquired about Batman and Robin. Also the reason why they added Robin's aunt in the 1960's Batman series. She was introduced before any form of Batgirl. In fact the first 'Batgirl' was her neice Betty Kane, as Bat-Girl. Batwoman had feelings for Batman but he seemed not to return it. In the 1970s, Batwoman often fought crime alongside the second Batgirl Barbara Gordon. During her retirement, she became a circus owner. She was killed by the League of Assassins and the brainwashed Bronze Tiger in Detective Comics #485 (September 1979). After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the histories of Batwoman and Bat-Girl were heavily retconned. In the new continuity, Kathy Kane existed Batwoman never had.

Unforuantely the direct to video animated film Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman had nothing to do with Kathy Kane but had a cool outfit none the less. This version was actually three different women avenging wrongs by the Penguin and Rupert Thorne. The name of one of them, Cathy Duquesne (pronounced "du-kane"), was a homage to Kathy Kane.

Not to be confused with la pelicula Mexicana de 1967 que se llamo La Mujer Murcielago which featured a luchadora in a twisted version of the 1960's Batman costume. She solves the mystery of other wrestlers showing up dead, has no connection with Batman or the DC Universe.

The Vault #2: BatGirl Supposedly Unaired Pilot

My favorite heronie of all time and no, its not Sailor Moon. I know she is a copy of a male counterpart and not original like Wonder Woman or Sailor Moon. A treatment pilot was made for Batgirl for the 60's series Batman and supposedly was unaired but did indeed aired for the first time on the FX Network back when it was starting out and only aired old Fox shows like Dyntasy, Wonder Woman, Green Hornet, Eight is Enough, etc. Check it out on You Tube at above link. In the pilot, the bad guy is Killer Moth, in the comics was originally a millionare, anti-Batman with his own car, cave, etc. He then was the first adversary for Batgirl in the comics. Her debut was at the same time with the series and comic. The original 'Bat-Girl' was Batwoman's neice Bette Kane a.k.a. Flamebird.