Filmation Batman

I was recently given on loan a copy of Filmation's 1977 masterpiece "The New Adventures of Batman" which for some odd reason I'd not really seen before. I mean, I knew it existed and specifically recall watching one episode as a kid at my grandmother's house. But considering my super-hero fanaticism at an early age, it's odd I didn't follow it. Perhaps it was on too late in the morning.

It's really pretty awful. They spent extra money on fancy use of a mutliplane camera, and many of their stock backgrounds are quite nice. However, the stock animation used repeatedly, even when it didn't make sense (e.g. Batgirl running looking over her shoulder, frightened, even when nothing is chasing her) is tough to watch.

The writing is bad but also funny. There's actually sexual inuendo between not Batman and Robin—but Bruce and Dick. Maybe Dick's name doesn't help, and neither do their matching leisure jumpsuits or gym outfits as they play video games or with their toy race track. Or maybe I have a dirty mind.

The character design and characterization (noted above) further mystifies with with District Attorney Barbara Gordon always deferring to her father, the Police Comissioner Gordon who has NO idea she's Batgirl. The villains are mostly voiced by the same actor, except Catwoman who is voice by the same actress who voices Batgirl.

And of course there's Bat-Mite. With his catchphrase "All I wanted to do is help!" whenever he gets in the way, he annoyingly pops in, does nothing (despite his powers) and then pops out. He may have been the reason I didn't watch as a kid. He made the show too juvenile for 7 year old me.

Funny because these days I love Bat-Mite—rather, the comic book version who idolized and tested Batman's abilities rather than bungling a case.

Here's my version of the Filmation Batman Family cast!

Killed DC Heroes: Pre CRISIS

Call me old-fashioned if you will! But with the latest bounties and murder storyline in JUSTICE SOCIETY, I must say it: comic book murder is overdone to the point that it's no longer dramatic or powerful. It used to be a real event when something like this happened. Now, it's body parts, entrails and blood everywhere. And, often, there was purpose beyond "death." Take Mister Terrific's murder; the whole suspense point was that no one was on the satellite but the JLA and JSA... so whoever murdered Mr. T was a good guy. Of course, that's not how the story turned out. Go read JLA 171-172 for that. :-) Before I go on, enjoy this sketch of 3 dead heroes (Golden Age Batman, Silver Age Batwoman, and Golden Age Mister Terrific).

Now, I will look at killed-off heroes in the DC Universe from 1935-1985 (up until the CRISIS series). I may need your help, but here we go:

• Ferro Lad (Legion—30th century, died saving galaxy from the Sun-Eater, 1967)
• Doom Patrol (Chief, Negative Man, Elasti-Girl; sacrificed selves; 1968)
• Larry Lance (Golden Age, Earth-2, died saving Black Canary, 1969)
• Wing (Golden Age, Earth-2, announced dead from battle with the Nebula Man, 1972)
• Invisible Kid (Legion—30th century, crushed by Validus, 1974; tho he came back in 1983 I think)
• Chemical King (Legion—30th century, died preventing the outbreak of a world war, 1977)
• Batman (Golden Age, Earth-2, dying of cancer, fights Felix Faust to the death, 1979)
• Mister Terrific (Golden Age, Earth-2, murdered by the Spirit King, 1979)
• Batwoman (Silver Age, Earth-1, murdered by the Bronze Tiger, 1980)
• Air Wave (announced killed by an escaped convict, 1981)
• Crimson Avenger (Golden Age, Earth-2, died saving city, 1981)
• Terra (Earth-1, killed in rock slide using own powers, 1984)
• Karate Kid (Legion—30th century, killed by Nemesis Kid, 1984)

So...15 over the course of DC's first 50 years. Happy to update with your edits. In the meantime visit the Wikipedia article of DC's dead heroes for an EXHAUSTING look at the 200+ DC characters (most "brutally slain") in the past 24 years.

Sign of the times, or weak story-telling? Or, I'm old fashioned.

the range

My work's all fairly cartoony... rarely have I dipped into realistic or life drawing. Here's a sample range from my work from the top:

• Straight up super-hero style Blockbuster (with Batman and Robin)
• More Tim Fish-ized hero Cannonball from my story published by Marvel Comics
• Classic Tim Fish cute boy
• Stylized from my unfinished OGN
• A hint of manga