Ep. 1: Bat in the Belfry OFFICIAL TALKBACK

[/\/\att]

[shadow=green,left,300]This thread will be unlocked Saturday morning! Lets fill it with all your thoughts and opinions of the show! wB is watching you! [/shadow]

[TheQuestion]

can't wait, only a few minutes to go.....


BOYAH!!!
ooooooh yeah! that was awsome.

also first post first episode!!

[TheJoker]

Why is Rubert(sp?) thorne wearing sandels?

[TheJoker]

Why does joker sound so wierd. Like he has an accent.

[San Diego Chargers]

TheJoker said:

Why does joker sound so wierd. Like he has an accent.

The person doing the voice for The Joker is Kevin Michael Richardson, a black guy. He was the one who did the voice of Carlton Duquense in Mystery of the Batwoman.

[TheJoker]

It was an ok episode. But I will still give the show some more episodes before i judge it so much.

The batmobile scenes were awesome.
The animation was flawless.
But the jokes were oh so corny.

[IceDrake523]

I thought it was very well done. I think Joker's lines were a bit off. But he's just appeared, he has to develop some.

It seems that Bennet is similar to a Jim Gordon.

[shadowbat]

it was okay. i like the portrayal of the Joker. don't care for the batboat design at all. this episode felt really rushed to me. it didn't have that "paced" feel that TAS had.

we'll see.

[Christopher Jones]

I hadn't wanted to say anything about this episode before it was s een, but I've been fortunate enough with my involvement with the comic book that I've seen four episodes of the new show an this was the one I liked the least.

But the animation is gorgeous and the story has it's moments. The biggest problem is that people are inevitably comparing it to possibly the best series in the history of television animation, and not to Totally Spies, or something...

[Ralph Nigma]

I felt exactly the opposite of Shadowbat. Batboat was really neat looking, but the Joker was more cutesy than menacing. It did feel pretty rushed, though. It'll take me another few episodes to decide, however.

Best moment:

B: "Stop this thing, Joker"
J: "With what brakes?"

All in all, 3.5 out of 5.

[KRaZeE]

The animation wasn't bad...kind of reminded me of Jackie Chan meets TMNT, but the voice of the Joker is going to take some getting used to...the laughing was ok, but sounded like a forced Mark Hammil imitation.

As far as the story, some things just didn't sit right. The Bats/Joker dialogue in Arkham was a little off altogether...can't really put my finger on it though. Also, why is Bats worrying about where he is going to get a Joker gas sample, when he knocked a vial of it out of the Joker's hands in the Asylum? And I certainly wouldn't think Batsy reckless enough to release an entire balloon full of the stuff into the water supply...tsk tsk.

Overall, an alright episode, not great...but like has already been said, I'll give it a few more episodes.

[HUSH]

I loved every minute of it! I did feel it was a bit rushed, too, though. 4.25/5 from me. I think it will get a lot better, too. I can't wait for the Bane episode.

[BullocK]

[shadow=red,left,300]Well I just got done watching the season premiere, and I enjoyed it. First things first, bravo to Jeff Matsuda and the rest for resurrecting and reinventing the animated Batman. We were in need of a fix and they delivered it to us in spades.

Batman was perfect, just as I hoped. I loved the opening scene where he takes on Thorne and his goons..their reactions to him...the way he hid in the shadows, it was great. The little bits of humor that were thrown in (the bran flakes bit) were tolerable, but I found myself groaning at Alfred's speech about the Batwave ("You're never too far from the cave, as long as you have the modern miracle of Batwave"). Other than that, Bruce and Alfred's interactions with one another were dead on. I'll admit it's strange seeing the GCPD without Gordon at the helm, but I'm willing to give these new characters a chance. Especially interesting is that Bruce is friends with Bennett, which ought to make for some interesting situations down the road.

Now the Joker. I really liked this version of the character. Not only freaky looking, but menacing to boot. Kevin Richardson has done a great job handling this character, he brings a much more deeper, intimidating tone to the Clown Prince, which is a refreshing change.

The Batmobile was sweet, as was the Batboat. Love both of those designs, although I don't really care for the entrance to the Batcave (a dumpster), nor where the Batboat was stashed.

All in all though, the pros most definately outway the cons on this one, and I can't wait til next Saturday![/shadow]

[Christopher Jones]

One more thing, I know that some people had been worried about the role the Batwave stuff will play in the show. I just wanted to say that I think they talk about it more in this episode than any of the other three I've seen.

This was the pilot. They're establishing everything and showing off the toys to make the studio suits happy. My impression is that after this episode the gadgets and gear are just *there*, and not shown off like it's an infomercial.

[re]

I thought it was AWESOME, and I can't wait till next week's episode, and for that matter, the rest of season one.

[Archangel]

Well, I had fun watching it and that's what cartoons are all about. And I think it's safe to assume that Gotham filters the icky harbour water anyway, so...

[Drew]

[shadow=teal,left,300]Great episode! The batmobile kicked arse! So did everything else! It was so good, I think I'll watch it a second time...


plus, only about 168 hours till the next ep![/shadow]

[Det27]

Liked the intro, Batman animation, and mobile. Alfred was good.

Gotham City was mediocre looking. Not as stylish as Anton Furst's or Bruce Timm's, but not as ugly as Shumacher's.

Hated the Joker completely, dialogue, pacing, Bruce's voice (sounds 15, not 25), batwave pitch by Alfred, Rupert Thorne design, Chinese Army uniforms for Gotham PD, and stereotype "dude" talk for ethnic chracters (kind of offensive).

So far, it feels like a dumbed down BTAS with less story, faster cuts for kids with short attention, and lots of gadgets/possible toys. It seems geared more toward the Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, Power Rangers set than BTAS, JL, comic fans. It's kind of an insult to modern children to say they can't follow an actual story, but only fast cuts of action scenes directly tied to merchandise.
In a single decade have kids changed that much?

[Drew]

Det27 said:

It seems geared more toward the Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, Power Rangers set than BTAS, JL, comic fans.

[shadow=teal,left,300]Thats cause it kinda is...... [/shadow]

[Det27]

"Thats cause it kinda is...... "

But are there any 6 or 7 years olds posting here?

[Drew]

Det27 said:

But are there any 6 or 7 years olds posting here?

[shadow=teal,left,300]Whats your point?[/shadow]

[azrael]

loved the episode!!! sure it has some shortcomings but i bet the show will keep improving with time. i won't even compare this to BTAS (which is a classic) but even Timm's version, imo, went downhill towards the end seeming to be way too kid-like (Critters for example). iBTAS was brilliant for so long (MOTP, Leather Wings....so many great episodes....i have them all on DVD) but when Robin and Batgirl became too prominent in the new adventures it wasn't nearly as good or dark. i enjoyed The Batman and i like the new direction and thank God we have a new Bat animation!! just keep Batman solo though...please. all we need is The Batman and Alfred and then Gordon!

pros...

The Batman looked great. great animation! Romano's voice sounds great to me...different then the superb Conroy but still fine. Alfred sounded great and i really enjoyed KMR as the Joker!!! his laughter in Arkham was haunting!!! i just hope they keep the show dark and menacing! really enjoyed both Romano and KMR! great job!

cons: script was at times weak, i would like The Batman to actually move a bit more slowly....kinda like a shadow, instead of so quick all the time. maybe slow the pacing to make it more dramatic. that's my main complaint!

other things that worked fine....The new Gotham police crew worked fine. sure it was different but i liked them.
love the intro and intro music though i wish the in-show music was a bit more gothic and not so "new rock" sounding.

but overall, an excellent episode!! i am so stoked for The Batman. i definetly hope they focus on stealth and some detective skills in the upcoming episodes!

thanks Matt, thanks Matsuda and thanks to The Batman. i really, really enjoyed the pilot!!! can't wait for next week!!!

[gotham95]

[shadow=blue,left,300]What can I say, overall I was impressed. Congratulations to Jeff Matsuda and company. Looking at it from outside point of view, I liked the new take and new angle on the Batman mythos. Alfred was cool, and I like the new GCPD staff. Joker will take some getting used to but he was "crazy".

Some moments that were cool:
-Alfred watching the Gators game and seeing Bruce was not there.

-the flas/strobe effect fighting with two Thorne's goons

-the shadows on arkham wall when first fighting Joker

-batboat was cool

I can't wait for next weeks episode. And I know it's too soon but I can't wait for the DVD. I know I'll be getting that one![/shadow]

[J-Man]

[shadow=purple,left,300]Well, what can I say? This was a great beginning to what will no doubt be a great staple in the Batman franchise! There were only minor problems with the first episode: It moved too quickly through scenes, but I'll get used to it, and the Joker was stranger than I imagined. But it wasn't bad!

The stories are simple and energetic, the new designs are wicked, and the voice cast is starting to grow on me! I give it an 8 out of 10...[/shadow]

[KRaZeE]

I wonder if we will ever find out the Joker's origin in this show's 'universe'. It obviously isn't the age old chemical dump story, since they clearly didn't have a clue who one another was.

[J-Man]

KRaZeE said:

I wonder if we will ever find out the Joker's origin in this show's 'universe'. It obviously isn't the age old chemical dump story, since they clearly didn't have a clue who one another was.

[shadow=purple,left,300]I'd prefer not to know, to be honest. They might make the origin something I'd dislike a lot, and I'm way too happy about the show right now for something like that to come along. [/shadow]

[Dusty]

GREAT SHOW! LOVED IT!!! 11 out of 10 stars i love the style they used, Jackie chan is one of my fav. shows, now The Batman is my fav. along with Jackie chan,



Dusty.

[behindtheclock]

A nice new take on Batman that we haven't seen before. I'm sure it'll get better as time goes by but the Batwave has got to go! Number one it's such a blatent vehicle for marketing and number two, it's obviously a detriment to Bruce Wayne to have something on his person (which he has to take out look at) that screams "The Batman!" BRING BACK THE BATSIGNAL! Or at least introduce it here. And make the Batwave a Batfade!

Ah well, I'm still looking forward to many more where this came from.
Chad-

[Christopher Jones]

What did people think of the Batcave?

[Dusty]

I thought it was great, heck everything was great,



Dusty.