[Ravenxl7]

The World's Finest

Quote:

New details on upcoming DC Comics-related animation programming, including details on the next animated Batman series Beware the Batman, have been revealed.

Sam Register confirmed the title of the next animated Batman series, due in 2013. Register, executive vice president for creative affairs at Warner Bros. Animation, closed the MIP Junior conference in Cannes, France on Sunday, October 2nd, 2011, with a keynote address on upcoming Warner Bros. Animation plans. MIP Junior is an intensive two-day conference agenda of debates, interactive workshops, pitching and matchmaking sessions that update executives and consumers on the latest developments in kids’ entertainment. With a new Batman theatrical feature slated for next year, Register says it was synergy to bring about a new Batman animated series.

The next Batman animated series, debuting in 2013, is titled Beware the Batman. According to Register, the CGI animated series will spotlight a classic-looking Batman teaming up with a gun-toting Alfred Pennyworth and a female ninja sidekick. Beware the Batman is executive-produced by Glen Murakami, and will explore the mythology’s more obscure villains, such as Professor Pyg, but also won't shy away from featuring some of the more well-known Batman foes.

Concerning villains slated to appear in the series, Register commented, "We went in deeper into the villain library and pulled out some other villains. We didn’t want to do another Joker story...there’s too many of them."

"We just needed to do something new, so we’re starting off with new villains," he concluded.

In the series, Batman will team up with a younger female sidekick named Katana. During the keynote, Register added that Katana will fill the sidekick role, but won't be a replacement for Robin.

"Katana is gonna be his new Robin, but not necessarily," Register said.

Register also revealed new details about the forthcoming DC Nation block during his keynote address. Highlights include Aardman Animation creating new claymation Batman shorts, Plastic Man animated shorts, and the creator behind My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic working on a series of animated shorts teaming Wonder Girl, Batgirl, Supergirl called Super Best Friends Forever. Additionally, there is also a series of Doom Patrol animated shorts in production. The block will also host a series of behind-the-scenes videos, special interviews, and much more. DC Nation, slated to run for at least three years on Cartoon Network, will debut in Spring 2012 with Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series.

Stay tuned for further updates, including exclusive content and much more, right here at The World's Finest.

I was surprised there wasn't already a thread for this on here. While I was initially repulsed by the promo picture, it's grown on me a bit. Though I still would like to see at least a couple of changes made to the design.

The story should definitely be interesting, what with the more obscure villains getting some major screen time. I'm looking forward to this show's portrayals of Alfred and Katana. Especially how they'll compare to past takes on them.

I'm also looking forward to the toy-line. Especially it's inevitable Batman variations and gimmicks. I just hope they stick with cloth capes, and make a good batmobile toy.

Edit: Added an edited version of the promo image.

[LXL_Guy]

Still not keen on the design myself.

[Crazy Jetty]

While I'm all for freshening Batman up a bit with a focus on lesser known and obscure villains, instead of Penguin>Joker>Penguin>Joker>Freeze>Penguin again... I really can't stand it when they take characters out of character. Alfred's role is what is completely putting me off this.
Not thrilled about Katana, either. But maybe I'm biased, since the character never interested me. Batman has had dozens of sidekicks, many of whom are fairly obscure to the wider audiance... so I don't understand why they couldn't have used Huntress, Cassandra Cain's Batgirl, Steph Brown as either Spoiler or Batgirl (Preferably Spoiler), Jason Todd, or Tim Drake... if they wanted to stay away from the Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson tropes.

And the art style is aweful, and I'm not fond at all of CG shows.
But it's mainly Alfred that kills most of the interest I have in this, with the CG finishing it off.

Too bad it's not that fake Batgirl series they made for the Brave and the Bold Finale. That was the only decent thing that show ever did.

[CLASSIFIED]

I'll reserve judgement until I see the final product.

[xhavoc86]

I hope it's not 3D animation, ugh.

Katana is an interesting choice. I like her, but doesn't seem right.

[snake5289]

This show ended up being the best Batman show in years. Started out slow but ramped up so fast. And man it got pretty dark towards the end. I think that's why it was pulled by CN and started to air on Toonami. Glad I have the second half of the series pre-ordered I can't wait to watch the whole thing all together on DVD.

[Exodus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake5289

This show ended up being the best Batman show in years. Started out slow but ramped up so fast. And man it got pretty dark towards the end. I think that's why it was pulled by CN and started to air on Toonami. Glad I have the second half of the series pre-ordered I can't wait to watch the whole thing all together on DVD.

Agree, pretty refreshing show, too bad it only lasted for a season. As always they pull the better toons off to air something worse...

[snake5289]

Yup. Too bad CN has gone so far downhill. Used to be my favorite TV station growing up.