Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Moderator: Steve
Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
So, 20 years ago today, kids tuned into Fox to catch the first episode of Batman: The Animated Series. What started as a tie-in to Tim Burton's films instead became a franchise in its own right, one that helped redefine the DC Comics mythology for a new generation. It set new standards for Western animation and vocal performances and its impact is still felt 20 years later. To many fans, this became the definitive interpretation of not only the Dark Knight, but DC's entire catalog of heroes and villains.
But despite the end of Justice League Unlimited 6 years ago, it's legacy lives on and I'm still glad to be a fan. How about you guys?
But despite the end of Justice League Unlimited 6 years ago, it's legacy lives on and I'm still glad to be a fan. How about you guys?
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- Emperor's Hand
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Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Recently got Volume one of BTAS of DVD. So seeing a whole Heap of stuff I'd never seen before.
Still I remain a Terry McGinnis fan at heart. And Return Of The Joker is the DCAU i think I return to most frequently.
ha ha *zaps JME2 with joybuzzer*
Still I remain a Terry McGinnis fan at heart. And Return Of The Joker is the DCAU i think I return to most frequently.
ha ha *zaps JME2 with joybuzzer*
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Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
*tips hat*
DCAU has continued to entertain me throughout my life. It is set apart by the consistent high level of quality. Never ever I really felt down by the plethora of amazing serieses and movies produced over nearly 2 decades. It is a remarkable feat to keep the bar so high for so long.
DCAU has continued to entertain me throughout my life. It is set apart by the consistent high level of quality. Never ever I really felt down by the plethora of amazing serieses and movies produced over nearly 2 decades. It is a remarkable feat to keep the bar so high for so long.
I have to tell you something everything I wrote above is a lie.
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Well, thank goodness I'm sharing a time-share with Timmy Drake...
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Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
I remember catching a few eps when I was a wee squirt on Cartoon Network, and loving every second.
Then a few years later, I stumbled upon a JLU episode, just as Superman dished out the most incredible punch of all time:
I still giggle like a schoolgirl every time
Then a few years later, I stumbled upon a JLU episode, just as Superman dished out the most incredible punch of all time:
I still giggle like a schoolgirl every time
Yeah, I've always taken the subtext of the Birther movement to be, "The rules don't count here! This is different! HE'S BLACK! BLACK, I SAY! ARE YOU ALL BLIND!?
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- Raw Shark
Destiny and fate are for those too weak to forge their own futures. Where we are 'supposed' to be is irrelevent.
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Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
I too am a child of the DCAU. The voices for that show are the ones I hear in my head when I read the characters now. It as truly a spectacular part of the Renaissance age of animation, and that the whole lasted as long as it did is still a wonder in and of itself.
*tips hat*
It's truly a work of art.
*tips hat*
It's truly a work of art.
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Browncoat
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Reviewing movies is a lot like Paleontology: The Evidence is there...but no one seems to agree upon it.
"God! Are you so bored that you enjoy seeing us humans suffer?! Why can't you let this poor man live happily with his son! What kind of God are you, crushing us like ants?!" - Kyoami, Ran
Justice League- Molly Hayes: Respect Hats or Freakin' Else!
Browncoat
Supernatural Taisen - "[This Story] is essentially "Wouldn't it be awesome if this happened?" Followed by explosions."
Reviewing movies is a lot like Paleontology: The Evidence is there...but no one seems to agree upon it.
"God! Are you so bored that you enjoy seeing us humans suffer?! Why can't you let this poor man live happily with his son! What kind of God are you, crushing us like ants?!" - Kyoami, Ran
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
It has been the definitive form of the DC universe for me from the beginning, and I enjoy rewatching what DVDs I have of it whenever I can.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
The DCAU had incredible stories. It was during a time when Western animation was trying new things. I saw a bit of the original BTAS. Then years later I saw the combined series on the WB as the New Superman/Batman Adventures. Incredible stories they managed to tell. Batman beyond was very well done. Best animated movie in the series, Return of the Joker. Some of the most serious takes on the series. The Joker from ROTJ had many similarities to Heath Ledgers Joker.“But all too soon the serums and the shocks took their toll, and the dear lad began to share such secrets with me, secrets that are mine alone to know... Bruce. It's true Batsy, I know everything. And kind of like the kid who peeks at his Christmas presents I must admit it's sadly anti-climactic. Behind all the stern and bat-o-rangs you're just a little boy in a playsuit crying for mommy and daddy. It'd be funny if it wasn't so pathetic. Oh what the hell, I'll laugh anyway. HA HA HA HA HA!”
And of course it was a role that Mark Hamill was destined for. He played two very different personalities on opposite ends of the spectrum. The very best of humanity, and the very worst.
"If the facts are on your side, pound on the facts. If the law is on your side, pound on the law. If neither is on your side, pound on the table."
"The captain claimed our people violated a 4,000 year old treaty forbidding us to develop hyperspace technology. Extermination of our planet was the consequence. The subject did not survive interrogation."
"The captain claimed our people violated a 4,000 year old treaty forbidding us to develop hyperspace technology. Extermination of our planet was the consequence. The subject did not survive interrogation."
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
I am sorry to say that i missed most of B:TAS during its original run, but among my favorite shows in my Teens was Justice League and JLA.
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Heros of Cybertron-HAB-Keeper of the Vicious pit of Allosauruses-King Leighton-I, United Kingdom of Zoria: SD.net World/Tsar Mikhail-I of the Red Tsardom: SD.net Kingdoms
WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE ON EARTH, ALL EARTH BREAKS LOOSE ON HELL
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Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
The DCAU has produced some of the best animation ever shown on TV. Been a fan since day one.
"They're not triangular, but they are more or less blade-shaped"- Thrawn McEwok on the shape of Bakura destroyers
"Lovely. It's known as impugning character regarding statement of professional qualifications' in the legal world"- Karen Traviss, crying libel because I said that no soldier she interviewed would claim that he can take on billion-to-one odds
"I've already laid out rules for this thread that we're not going to make these evidential demands"- Dark Moose on supporting your claims
"Lovely. It's known as impugning character regarding statement of professional qualifications' in the legal world"- Karen Traviss, crying libel because I said that no soldier she interviewed would claim that he can take on billion-to-one odds
"I've already laid out rules for this thread that we're not going to make these evidential demands"- Dark Moose on supporting your claims
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
After 20 years, most of that still holds true for me. Examples include Batman, Superman, the streamlining of the Fourth World mythos, etc.Steve wrote:It has been the definitive form of the DC universe for me from the beginning....
In other areas like the Flash's rogues or the Green Lanterns, it's different since my views on those characters/mythologies has been so heavily influenced by the stories of the last decade (GL especially).
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Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
I never had access to comics as a kid, so growing up this was the DC universe for me. With the coming of the internet, widespread fan sites, and Wikipedia, I got to learn more about what was going on in the actual comics. That includes all the crazy and excessively dark and violent stuff that's happened over the years. I've always admired the DCAU for being able to tell quality stories that appealed to all ages, without gratuitous deaths or silly retcons and reboots. I've gotten more into comics recently now that digital comics allow me to easily download all the recommended titles, but the DCAU is what made me a fan of the genre in the first place.
"They're not triangular, but they are more or less blade-shaped"- Thrawn McEwok on the shape of Bakura destroyers
"Lovely. It's known as impugning character regarding statement of professional qualifications' in the legal world"- Karen Traviss, crying libel because I said that no soldier she interviewed would claim that he can take on billion-to-one odds
"I've already laid out rules for this thread that we're not going to make these evidential demands"- Dark Moose on supporting your claims
"Lovely. It's known as impugning character regarding statement of professional qualifications' in the legal world"- Karen Traviss, crying libel because I said that no soldier she interviewed would claim that he can take on billion-to-one odds
"I've already laid out rules for this thread that we're not going to make these evidential demands"- Dark Moose on supporting your claims
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Likewise. It was more through the DCAU than the Burton films that I became a comics fan. I still have a love for certain characters based on their DCAU appearances like Jonah Hex and Dr. Fate.Jim Raynor wrote:I've gotten more into comics recently now that digital comics allow me to easily download all the recommended titles, but the DCAU is what made me a fan of the genre in the first place.
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Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
I loved that old BTAS series. Episodes like 'Batman is in my Basement' and 'Silicon Soul' for the twelve-year-old me really opened my eyes about what animation could do.
Stuart: The only problem is, I'm losing track of which universe I'm in.
You kinda look like Jesus. With a lightsaber.- Peregrin Toker
You kinda look like Jesus. With a lightsaber.- Peregrin Toker
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Honestly, whenever I consider the DCAU, I can't help but feel that its medium is a superior one for the setting and stories. I've become jaded on the actual comic book medium, with its soap opera tendencies and the inevitable effect of having scores of writers and editors in the long term, not to mention the parallel runs of multiple other comic lines by different writers and editors, resulting in botched continuity in both short and long-term periods.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Yeah, that's been my feeling for a while too.Steve wrote:Honestly, whenever I consider the DCAU, I can't help but feel that its medium is a superior one for the setting and stories. I've become jaded on the actual comic book medium, with its soap opera tendencies and the inevitable effect of having scores of writers and editors in the long term, not to mention the parallel runs of multiple other comic lines by different writers and editors, resulting in botched continuity in both short and long-term periods.
All the series, especially BTAS, had the advantage of decades of stories that could analyze, pick the best of the bunch, and then distill in something new while staying true to its roots. And while the comics are ongoing and stuff is constantly reversed based on writer preferences, Team Timm stuck with what they established and gave the DCAU a defined beginning, middle, and end.
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Cue one of the most grimly satisfying ass-kickings in the entire DCAU.Alyeska wrote:“But all too soon the serums and the shocks took their toll, and the dear lad began to share such secrets with me, secrets that are mine alone to know... Bruce. It's true Batsy, I know everything. And kind of like the kid who peeks at his Christmas presents I must admit it's sadly anti-climactic. Behind all the stern and bat-o-rangs you're just a little boy in a playsuit crying for mommy and daddy. It'd be funny if it wasn't so pathetic. Oh what the hell, I'll laugh anyway. HA HA HA HA HA!”
Incidentally, that's my favorite piece of Joker dialogue in the entire franchise. Paul Dini really was the best Joker writer of the entire team. The key to the Clown is to strike the right balance between humor and malice, but Dini really had a knack for it. I still think this film is Hamill's best DCAU performance.
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
And one of the best scenes in the movie, Joker actually cracks.
Joker: Funny guy
Terry: Can't say the same for you
Joker: Impudent brat. Who do you think you're talking to?
Terry: Not a comedian I'll tell you that
Joker: Shut your mouth!
Terry: The real Batman never talked to you much did he? Thats probably why you were so fixated on him.
Joker: Don't play psycho analyst with me boy!
Terry: Oh, I don't need a degree to figure you out. The real reason you kept coming back was because you never got a laugh out of the old man.
Joker: I'm not hearing this!
Terry: Get a clue clownie! He's got no sense of humor. He wouldn't know a good joke if it bit him in the cape. Not that you ever had a good joke.
Joker: Shut up. Shut up!
Terry: I mean joybuzzers, squirting flowers, lame! Where's the A material? Make a face, drop your pants, something!
Joker: Show yourself!
Terry: You make me laugh. But only because I think you're kind of pathetic. Hahahahahaha!
Joker: STOP THAT!
Terry: Hehehe. So you fell in a tank of acid and got your skin bleached and decided to become a supervilian? What, you couldn't get work as a rodeo clown? Hahahahaha!
Joker: Don't you dare laugh at me!
Terry: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Why!?! I thought the Joker always wanted to make Batman laugh! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Joker: You're not Batman!!
Joker: Funny guy
Terry: Can't say the same for you
Joker: Impudent brat. Who do you think you're talking to?
Terry: Not a comedian I'll tell you that
Joker: Shut your mouth!
Terry: The real Batman never talked to you much did he? Thats probably why you were so fixated on him.
Joker: Don't play psycho analyst with me boy!
Terry: Oh, I don't need a degree to figure you out. The real reason you kept coming back was because you never got a laugh out of the old man.
Joker: I'm not hearing this!
Terry: Get a clue clownie! He's got no sense of humor. He wouldn't know a good joke if it bit him in the cape. Not that you ever had a good joke.
Joker: Shut up. Shut up!
Terry: I mean joybuzzers, squirting flowers, lame! Where's the A material? Make a face, drop your pants, something!
Joker: Show yourself!
Terry: You make me laugh. But only because I think you're kind of pathetic. Hahahahahaha!
Joker: STOP THAT!
Terry: Hehehe. So you fell in a tank of acid and got your skin bleached and decided to become a supervilian? What, you couldn't get work as a rodeo clown? Hahahahaha!
Joker: Don't you dare laugh at me!
Terry: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Why!?! I thought the Joker always wanted to make Batman laugh! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Joker: You're not Batman!!
"If the facts are on your side, pound on the facts. If the law is on your side, pound on the law. If neither is on your side, pound on the table."
"The captain claimed our people violated a 4,000 year old treaty forbidding us to develop hyperspace technology. Extermination of our planet was the consequence. The subject did not survive interrogation."
"The captain claimed our people violated a 4,000 year old treaty forbidding us to develop hyperspace technology. Extermination of our planet was the consequence. The subject did not survive interrogation."
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Being born in 1989 I had the joy of growing up with the Timm-verse, and the Marvel Cartoons of the 90's. Some of my best memories are watching BTAS with my grandpa. Most things just seemed so inadequate after watching Batman, Superman, Spidey, and the X men, the other cartoons just couldnt compare.
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
That remains Terry's defining moment: mind-fucking the Joker of all people...Alyeska wrote:And one of the best scenes in the movie, Joker actually cracks.
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Oh hell yeah, it is the defining scene of Terry's Batman career, a moment that showed just how much he was his own man.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Yea.h. As much as I love MOTP, ROTJ is the best of the movies and probably the sungle best entry in the DCAU. Everything from the writing to the animation to the vocal performances is perfect.
Re: Celebrating 20 Years of the DC Animated Universe
Rewatching some JLU episodes for fun.
”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED
"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia
American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.
DONALD J. TRUMP IS A SEDITIOUS TRAITOR AND MUST BE IMPEACHED