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|first_aired = {{Start date|2013|7|13}}
|first_aired = {{Start date|2013|7|13}}
|last_aired = {{End date|2013|10|23}}
|last_aired = Present
|num_seasons = 1
|num_seasons = 1
|num_episodes = 11
|num_episodes = 11
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|followed_by =
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'''''Beware the Batman''''' is an American [[computer-animated]] television series based on the [[DC Comics]] superhero [[Batman]]. The series premiered in the [[United States]] on [[Cartoon Network]] on July 13, 2013,<ref name="Harvey"/> as part of their [[DC Nation]] block.<ref name="Teaser"/> It is the replacement for ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''. ''Beware the Batman'' is produced by [[Warner Bros. Animation]].<ref name="Animation"/> The series has premiered on October 11, 2013 on Teletoon in Canada<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teletoonmedia.com/en/index.php/teletoon/show_page/category/beware_the_batman |title=Beware the Batman |publisher=Teletoon Canada |accessdate=September 19, 2013}}</ref>. It was officially pulled from Cartoon Network's lineup on October 23, 2013.
'''''Beware the Batman''''' is an American [[computer-animated]] television series based on the [[DC Comics]] superhero [[Batman]]. The series premiered in the [[United States]] on [[Cartoon Network]] on July 13, 2013,<ref name="Harvey"/> as part of their [[DC Nation]] block.<ref name="Teaser"/> It is the replacement for ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''. ''Beware the Batman'' is produced by [[Warner Bros. Animation]].<ref name="Animation"/> The series has premiered on October 11, 2013 on Teletoon in Canada<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teletoonmedia.com/en/index.php/teletoon/show_page/category/beware_the_batman |title=Beware the Batman |publisher=Teletoon Canada |accessdate=September 19, 2013}}</ref>.


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
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Scott Thill, technology and pop culture commentator for ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine, praised the initial choice to debut Anarky on television, claiming the character was relevant following the rise of the [[occupy movement]] and the [[Hacktivism|hacktivist]] activities of [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]].<ref name="Thill"/>
Scott Thill, technology and pop culture commentator for ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine, praised the initial choice to debut Anarky on television, claiming the character was relevant following the rise of the [[occupy movement]] and the [[Hacktivism|hacktivist]] activities of [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]].<ref name="Thill"/>


==Cancellation==
==Hiatus==
Beware the Batman was officially cancelled by Cartoon Network on October 23, 2013 without explanation.
Beware the Batman was taken put on hiatus by Cartoon Network on October 23, 2013 without explanation. It is set to return to Cartoon Network in January 2014.<ref name="RuivivarTweet"/>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 183: Line 183:


<ref name="pixelatedgeek">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxdDmy5SJ6U |title=SDCC 2012{{spaced ndash}}Beware the Batman Interview |accessdate= August 22, 2013 |last=Thill |first=Scott |date=July 20, 2012 |work=Pixelatedgeek.com}}</ref>
<ref name="pixelatedgeek">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxdDmy5SJ6U |title=SDCC 2012{{spaced ndash}}Beware the Batman Interview |accessdate= August 22, 2013 |last=Thill |first=Scott |date=July 20, 2012 |work=Pixelatedgeek.com}}</ref>

<ref name="RuivivarTweet">{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/AnthonyRuivivar/status/392511639485833216 |title=Anthony Ruivivar's Tweet on the Show's Hiatus |accessdate= October 24, 2013</ref>
}}
}}
==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 07:45, 24 October 2013

Beware the Batman
File:Beware The Batman.png
GenreAction
Adventure
Superhero fiction
Drama
Developed byGlen Murakami
Sam Register
Mitch Watson
Butch Lukic
Voices ofAnthony Ruivivar
J.B. Blanc
Sumalee Montano
Kurtwood Smith
Opening theme"Beware the Batman" by Dum Dum Girls
Ending theme"Beware the Batman"
ComposerFrederik Wiedmann
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerSam Register
ProducersGlen Murakami
Mitch Watson
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesDC Entertainment
Warner Bros. Animation
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network
ReleaseJuly 13, 2013 (2013-07-13) –
Present

Beware the Batman is an American computer-animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. The series premiered in the United States on Cartoon Network on July 13, 2013,[1] as part of their DC Nation block.[2] It is the replacement for Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Beware the Batman is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.[3] The series has premiered on October 11, 2013 on Teletoon in Canada[4].

Synopsis

Main article: List of Beware the Batman episodes

The series is set during Bruce Wayne's early years as the Batman, following his initial period of battling organized crime. Over the course of the season, he hones his skills with the assistance of his butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Bruce is introduced to Alfred's goddaughter, Tatsu Yamashiro. Tatsu is a martial arts swordsmaster hired to act as Bruce's bodyguard, but also recruited to act as a superhero partner to Batman.

Character development

Role in Beware the Batman

Crime-fighting vigilante Batman teams up with swordmistress Katana and his ex-secret agent[5] butler Alfred Pennyworth to face the criminal underworld led by Anarky, Magpie, Ra's al Ghul, Tobias Whale, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad, Lady Shiva, Key and Humpty Dumpty.[1][2][5] Anarky, in particular, will be the main villain in the series.[6]

Creation and concept

We've taken the essence of all the characters and we've put sort of a different spin on it. You know, there's some stuff we can't adapt because it's too complicated or [not fit for a kid's show].

Glen Murakami, 2012.[7]

While the developers allowed themselves license to stylize the character's appearances, the villains were particularly designed to be "over the top".[8]

Characters

Main characters

  • Batman/Bruce Wayne - The title character of the series. Mitch Watson, co-producer of Beware the Batman, explained how the crew behind the series approached Batman for the show the way they did, stating "In the way we approached Batman for this show, he's at the beginning of his career, he's probably been doing it for about five to six years, he's in his early 30s. And character-wise, we broke him into three parts. There's the public Bruce Wayne, who we modeled slightly after Richard Branson. We wanted to make Bruce Wayne more of an altruistic guy and the company's (Wayne Enterprise) trying to do good. So, that's the public Bruce. The private Bruce is more introspective guy who really only deals with Alfred, and Alfred at the beginning of the series is really the only person who sees that side of Bruce Wayne. He's quiet; he's a little bit obsessive about particular things."[9] Developers expressed that the series would be a departure from previous Batman animated series in their choice to focus on the character's nature as a detective. Crime fighting in the series would put emphasis on procedural aspects of mystery solving. Batman would also be more subject to external threats of injury. "He gets hurt. There are several episodes where he really... gets damaged", emphasized Mitch Watson.[8]
  • Alfred Pennyworth - Alfred Pennyworth is a former MI6 agent and Bruce Wayne's butler. Following initial promotion of the series, critics were concerned with what they interpreted to be the re-characterization of Alfred Pennyworth as a fellow crime fighter. Producer Glen Murakami explained that initial promotion posters that had been issued to the press were not originally intended for release, and that they did not give an accurate display of Alfred's role in the show. However, Murakami referred to Alfred's canonical backstory, which cast Alfred as a former MI6 agent, and said that this would be Alfred's portrayal in the show. "I think people are really going to like him", series writer Mitch Watson said. "He's Sean Connery from The Untouchables. The characterization of Alfred would be that of a man who was once in a physical condition on part with Batman, who was now in his 60s and past his prime, but still able to provide advice to Batman and be an ally when necessary. This characterization was pitched to DC Comics, who responded that the company was coincidentally also taking Alfred in that direction. Series developers originally intended to give Alfred a greater role in the series, but Murakami advised that they scale back his activities, over concern that he could outshine Batman.[7]
  • Katana/Tatsu Yamashiro - A martial arts swordmaster in hiding from the League of Assassins who was hired to act as Bruce Wayne's bodyguard by her godfather Alfred Pennyworth. She revealed to Alfred that she was undercover in the League of Assassins to steal the Soultaker Sword from them before it can be used for their own evils.
  • Lt. James Gordon - A police lieutenant who works at the Gotham City Police Department.

Villains

See also: List of Batman Family adversaries
  • Anarky - A mysterious figure who self-identifies as a madman and champion of chaos in opposition to Batman, who he sees as a champion of order. Whereas the original character is an anti-villain thematically based on socio-political philosophy, producers announced that Anarky was chosen to function as the main villain, and was re-characterized as a criminal mastermind who would challenge Batman through complex schemes and machinations.[6]
  • League of Assassins - An organization of terrorists and assassins.
    • Ra's al Ghul - Leader and founder of the League of Assassins. His body was first revealed to be in suspended animation.
    • Lady Shiva - An elite member of the League of Assassins.
    • Cypher - A half-human half-computer agent of the League of Assassins.
    • Silver Monkey - An elite agent of the League of Assassins that wears a silver monkey mask. He tried to take the Soultaker Sword for himself until Lady Shiva caught on to his plan.
  • Magpie/Margaret Sorrow - Magpie, a character designed in the 1980s, underwent a costume redesign to give her a more contemporary appearance.[7]
  • Professor Pyg and Mister Toad - Originally depicted as psychologically deranged and violent members of a criminal organization, Mister Toad and Professor Pyg are depicted within the series as eco-terrorists, thematically inspired by The Wind in the Willows.[citation needed] Acknowledging the violent nature of Professor Pyg and Mister Toad, the creators toned down their depiction to make them less violent than their comic book counterparts.[8]
  • Tobias Whale - Tobias Whale is an African American albino crime boss.
    • Phosphorous Rex - Milo Match is Tobias Whale's lawyer. As Phosphorous Rex, he is Tobias Whale's chief enforcer who can perform fire attacks. The original comic book counterpart to this character is a member of the same criminal organization as Professor Pyg and Mister Toad and his real name was unrevealed.

Other characters

  • Barbara Gordon - The daughter of James Gordon, who has a continuing interest in Batman.
  • Bethanie Ravencroft - A psychologist who formerly experimented on rehabilitating criminals including Magpie. She was later revealed to be in league with Silver Monkey and ends up having her soul drained by Lady Shiva using the Soultaker Sword.
  • Jason Burr - A scientist who worked on the Ion Cortex which was targeted by the League of Assassins.

Cast

Principal cast

Additional voices

Crew

Production

Background

After Batman: The Brave and the Bold ended its run in November 2011, a new series went under production, so that Batman could return to a more "serious tone".[21] When the series was first unveiled it was announced that lesser known villains would be introduced. For example, two of the shows villains, Professor Pyg and Mr. Toad are from Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin comics. Sam Register explained "We went in deeper into the villain library and pulled out some other villains" and the studio did not want the series to do another "Joker story".[22][23] With Batman receiving a new sidekick, Outsiders member Katana, Register even commented that "Katana is gonna be his new Robin, but not necessarily."[1] The series is computer-animated in a CGI format, similar to Green Lantern: The Animated Series's animation style; the CGI has been described as "cutting edge".[3][5]

In the wake of the 2012 Aurora shooting, it was announced that the series content would be altered in order to make the firearms in the show look less realistic.[24]

In promoting the series, Warner Bros. debuted a trailer a month prior to the series premier, featuring action sequences from the first three episodes, highlighting Batman, Professor Pyg and Toad, Magpie, and Anarky.[25] On July 2, the opening title sequence was released to Entertainment Weekly, a week prior to the series premier.[26] It depicts Batman, Alfred, Katana, and the Batmobile, in a stylized red background with stark red lighting effects, contrasted by dark shadows and silhouettes. The show's opening theme is composed by the indie rock band the Dum Dum Girls.[27]

CGI development

The way these guys have constructed the city itself – I mean, they're still building it; they're building Gotham City itself – it's not just a couple of sets.

Mitch Watson, 2012.[8]

The requirements of CGI at times necessitated that inanimate objects such as ships and city streets were built, rather than simply drawn, creating a need for the completion of entire set designs. This would increase production times, but later allow the developers to bring cinematic qualities of lighting and camera play to the series. Batman's utility belt was fully recreated from cardboard and worn by producer Glen Murakami's design team, to test how the belt would function while in motion. "If you really built it, it would work", said Watson. Batarangs were designed to flip-open and function when retrieved from the belt. The Batmobile was also subjected to scrutiny, as a "certain amount of weight" was added to it as it moved on city streets, out of concern that it would be unbelievable otherwise.[8]

Reception

Initial promotional art for the series depicted Alfred (armed with guns and fighting alongside Batman). This upset fans of the Batman mythos, prompting a response from producers.[7]

Initial announcements for the series were accompanied with promotional art that was not intended for public release, depicting Alfred as a gun-toting butler. This upset fans of the Batman mythos, who argued against Alfred's participation in Batman's exploits, and his use of deadly firearms as against the Batman's principles. In response to fan criticism, producer Glen Murakami acknowledged that this poster image was an inaccurate representation of what the character's actual role would be. He elaborated that the poster was intended to be an action themed shot that displayed the cast of characters, but that Alfred's portrayal had been misleadingly made more exciting. "You can't have an action pose of a guy standing with a tray", joked Murakami. Mitch Watson also noted the problem presented if Alfred were fighting alongside Batman, as he would be recognized as Bruce Wayne's butler, and thus reveal the identity of Batman. Regardless, both producers insisted that Alfred would remain true to his intended characterization as a mentor to Batman, who could potentially help Batman if a story plot called for it.[7]

Scott Thill, technology and pop culture commentator for Wired magazine, praised the initial choice to debut Anarky on television, claiming the character was relevant following the rise of the occupy movement and the hacktivist activities of Anonymous.[28]

Hiatus

Beware the Batman was taken put on hiatus by Cartoon Network on October 23, 2013 without explanation. It is set to return to Cartoon Network in January 2014.[29]

See also

Program lists

References

  1. ^ a b c d Harvey, James. ""Beware The Batman" CGI Animated Series Coming For 2013, "DC Nation" Updates". The World's Finest. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  2. ^ a b nerdblog (March 29, 2012). "'Beware The Batman' teaser image released". Nerdage. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Lesnick, Silas (March 28, 2012). "Cartoon Network Wants You to Beware the Batman!". Superhero Hype. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  4. ^ "Beware the Batman". Teletoon Canada. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Beat, The (March 29, 2012). "Beware the Batman leads new Cartoon Network lineup". Comics Beat. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Veronese, Keith (July 19, 2012). "Bruce Wayne goes back to his detective roots, in Beware the Batman". io9. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e Thill, Scott (July 20, 2012). "SDCC 2012 – Beware the Batman Interview". Pixelatedgeek.com. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d e Misfitsofscifi.com (July 17, 2013). SDCC 2012: DC Nation – Beware The Batman – Mitch Watson & Glen Murakami Interview (video podcast). Youtube.
  9. ^ Droege, CB (July 17, 2012). "Beware the Batman teaser gives fair warning". TG Daily. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  10. ^ "JB Blanc's Fanpage". Facebook. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  11. ^ "Kurtwood Smith Talks Beware the Batman". Movie Web. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  12. ^ a b Julian, Mark (July 23, 2013). "'BEWARE THE BATMAN' Angling To Introduce The Outsiders?". Comicbookmovie.com. Retrieved 2013-22-8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ a b c Harvey, Jim (June 19, 2013). "New Images, Official Announcement For 'Beware The Batman' Series Debut". WorldsFinestOnline.com. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  14. ^ "Beware the Batman - Mitch Watson Interview - Comic-Con 2013". IGN. July 29, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  15. ^ a b Lynch, Alex (July 30, 2013). "Promo Clips And Images For BEWARE THE BATMAN & DC NATION [8/3]". Comicbookmovie.com. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  16. ^ "Lance Reddick On Dr0ne, Fringe & More". G4tv.com. July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  17. ^ "So in our Batman session yesterday, Tara... - JB Blanc's Fanpage". Facebook. July 17, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  18. ^ "tarastrong: Love when I can finally tell". Twitter. July 18, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  19. ^ "Comikase 2012! Part 2: Cree Summer". Comic Attack. September 20, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  20. ^ "Young Justice". Worldsfinestonline.com. March 16, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  21. ^ G-Man (July 24, 2010). "Comic-Con: Brave and the Bold & Young Justice Panel". Comic Vine. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  22. ^ "Liveblog: Keynote: Sam Register, Warner Bros. Animation". Liveblog. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  23. ^ "'Beware The Batman' Cartoon Series Strikes In 2013". MTV. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  24. ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (July 27, 2012). "Warner Bros. tones down 'Batman' TV toon". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  25. ^ "Cartoon Network Releases "Beware the Batman" Sizzle Reel, Images". Comic Book Resources. June 19, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  26. ^ Franich, Darren (July 2, 2013). "First look at 'Beware the Batman' opening titles". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  27. ^ ""Beware the Batman" Title Sequence Hits Online". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  28. ^ Thill, Scott (April 18, 2012). "Beware The Batman's CGI Teaser Surfaces, But When Will Anarky Arrive?". Wired.com. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  29. ^ {{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/AnthonyRuivivar/status/392511639485833216 |title=Anthony Ruivivar's Tweet on the Show's Hiatus |accessdate= October 24, 2013

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