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Post by /\/\att on Feb 17, 2006 22:15:16 GMT -5
Discuss this week's The Batman episode, Thunder. This new episode features Phil LaMarr of JLU fame as Maxie Zeus, as was exclusively announced here on LoG.  |
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Post by /\/\att on Feb 18, 2006 8:48:50 GMT -5
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Post by blinker on Feb 18, 2006 9:05:29 GMT -5
REVIEW:
Maxie Zeus appeared in the comics in 1979 and died in a Wonder Woman issue where he actually met the gods he worshipped. He only appeared in BTAS once as what he is; a maniac who is obsessed with the Greek Gods that he thinks he is one. I was thinking how in a kid's show, where anything meaning to the word "God", was taken out and how they going to do that with this kind of character. But one thing I did know; this episode technially by original airdate plans and production codes is before "The Apprentice". So I knew what happened in that episode didn't occur yet.
The episode is like this: there was an election between Maximillion Zeus & Grange. Zeus seemed to be the right guy until his ideas invovled the Greek and their gods like using royal guards as the cops. With him losing the election, he becomes Maxie Zeus and by wearing the battle armor of Gods, he starts by destroying what he believes to be the currupted evil forces in Gotham like City Hall, and begins taking over as rule of Gotham.
The verdict: nice. While they didn't use the word "God" as I knew they wouldn't for a kids show, the pictures on the walls of Zeus' ship, the way the battle armor for him and the royal guards, and of course the name "Zeus" does still give the point. Plus, Zeus tells Batman a anicent Greek story that I heard (and can't recall).
Zeus' ship, while something I doubt he would do secretly....well then Batman can do it so the other villians and their toys. Anyway, his ship was something dangerous and terriflying for Gotham. It destroyed City Hall, whch makes you think if anyone was in it since they didn't show people running from the building. And its design, also from Zeus and who he is and whom he worships, is based on Anicent Greek Architecture. It's called New Olympus.
This episode was better in terms on how characters acted, even Grange. He may have come off as another father figure for Bruce since he was friends with Thomas Wayne and how he acted in "The Big Heat" on how Bruce should appear business wise. But since then, he's been there. That's still kinda similar here. The difference is that while it only last one scene, he says that even if Batman is Gotham's protector, the fact that they're fighting a man with his own ship and own power to destroy and kill without mercy so people can worship him doesn't mean they can rely on one man to take care of it. That's smart.
Oh and Batman gets a new vechile: the Batwing. And a flight suit to go with it. Made me think of that issue from the HUSH arc.
For Zeus himself and his guards, Phil LaMarr does a great voice. His presents a "powerful" force of villianly when he commands his troops. He's been too obessive with the Greek Gods. And for his guards, the way he talks and whom he believes makes me think, and it makes sense, that these people came from a cult. Anyone would agree with that.
BTW, I guess this epsiode got the wrong production code or something to confuse even me. But this episode takes place after Apprentice because Batman officially accepts Batgirl and gives her her own Batwave, new belt and weapons. Because if this was before Apprentuice, then she would've been seen with these and used them against Joker. So it has to be, and it is, after Apprentice. Can't be the other way around.
Batgirl fans, or Batman and Batgirl, rejoice! She's now IN!
Overall, this was a great episode. Zeus wasn't altered anywheer to make him really different. He was threatening and while she still isn't IN THE CAVE AND KNOWING THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK, Batgirl is still officially part of Batman's gig.
RATING: 8.5/10
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Post by Hush Riddler on Feb 18, 2006 9:25:47 GMT -5
[shadow=green,left,300]9/10!! This episode was really great, love it. I'm going to say though, MANY things in this show reminded me of STAR WARS. Did anyone else get that? Examples:
1.) Zeus and his Thundergloves, like Emperor Palpatine.
2.) Batman in the Batwing dodging all the bullets from Zeus's ship, like the Rebels trying to disable the Death Star.
3.) Zeus's and Batman's fight, like Batman's Thunder-stick vs. Zeus's gloves was like Yoda vs. Sidious.
4.) Batgirl disabling the vaporizer was like Han Solo and Chewbacca and the other rebels trying to disable the Death Star's defense system... wow.
Yea alot of Star Wars stuff here, kinda got annoying. If not for that then the show would've been a 10/10 because I'm a HUGE fan of mythology and I love Maxie Zeus. I also love Star Wars, but I can't stand it when they copy out of other people's work. By the way, blinker, the myth that Zeus referred to that you can't recall is that of the boy Icarus, whose father invented wax wings so they could fly out of some sort of imprisonment. Icarus flew too close to the sun against his father's warning and the wings melted and he plunged into the sea and drowned. Zeus refers to this when the Batwing comes threateningly close to Zeus's craft and Zeus attempts to shoot him out of the sky.[/shadow]
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Post by blinker on Feb 18, 2006 9:34:02 GMT -5
Thansk for posting that.
I think I kinda knew it was copying Star Wars but I didn't give it much thought since the review was the episode I was writting was next tio me and I was focused on getting it prepped for the sites once it finished.
In my mind, the Star Wars' sounds, designs, music and voices/lines is what I would knew they were copying Star Wars. Of course thats RIPPIGN OFF STAR WARS!
Good thing they ddin't do that.
And its good we got this kind of episode before TB goes on a break (again) and its two part finale.
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Post by J-Man on Feb 18, 2006 9:43:53 GMT -5
[shadow=purple,left,300]This was the first time in a while that I woke up early enough to catch an episode, and I must say I was not disappointed. It was rather enjoyable. I loved the new Maxie Zeus, who has become another Z-list villain made interesting by "The Batman." The new Batwing was pretty cool, also.
8/10  [/shadow]
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Post by The Dark Knight on Feb 18, 2006 10:04:29 GMT -5
This was an idiotic episode! Is the exact opposite of my opinion. :-P A very talented Phil LaMarr truly made Maxie Zeus alive in this episode. The writers did a good job with Maxie's dialogue as well, with so many greek references and such. It highly resembled Star Wars in the air and it was all about Batgirl, so it was boring the first 15 min. I didnt like how the plot was solved by Batgirl jsut dropping the thunder tranquiwhatgever thingy. Maxie shoulda used his thunder while she head it. I loved Batman's new costume. THh last 10 minutes proved this episode to be worthy of praise. Finally Batman accepts Batgirl so it was a good ending. I wonder how the new belt will look on her. I truly love the last scene which highly resembled Batman and Robin's silhouettes. Very nice touch  9/10 |
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Post by blinker on Feb 18, 2006 10:11:10 GMT -5
At first I thought you were going to bash this episoide, and I was going to fight you.
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Post by All Star Batman on Feb 18, 2006 10:20:01 GMT -5
It was a good episode. The new Batwing is awesome! Also, Batgirl now gets her own official utility belt, bat grapple, and batwave device. I thought this should've been the way to end the season. How can they top this?
9/10
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Post by ??The Riddler?? on Feb 18, 2006 10:53:45 GMT -5
Loved it and partner, I really thought of Star Wars as well.  The fight at the end was what caught me. I give the episode a 10 out of 10 it was funny, action packed, and well done. I loved Phil LaMarr's voice talent he did excellent! I also loved the way he used the story of Icarus in the episode, I've learned ALOT about Greek Mythology and read quite a bit as well, so I think I can understand much of what he has said. I loved that Spartacus joke Barbara used on her dad. |
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Post by All Star Batman on Feb 18, 2006 11:13:49 GMT -5
It's hard to believe that a guy that skinny who was on MAD TV could do a voice that can terrify you.
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Post by blinker on Feb 18, 2006 11:45:09 GMT -5
There's two more. And I think they should use Hugo Strange since they established him more evil in A Fistful of Felt and it would make sense to close the third season with him fightign Batman and his mind in a 2-parter
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Ruseri
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
All it takes is one rotten day...
Posts: 227
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Post by Ruseri on Feb 18, 2006 12:13:24 GMT -5
it won't be a two-parter, unless they somehow incorporate Penguin and Mr. Freeze into it (remember, we were told there would be a Mr. Freeze/Penguin "team-up" episode, as well as another Hugo Strange one). but i doubt they could do that... i just don't see how pengy and Freeze would fit with Hugo. i'm sure it will be just a single-episode finale, featuring Hugo Strange (hopefully finding out Batman's identity -- that would be a good way to end the season).
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Post by crazyhatter on Feb 18, 2006 12:14:13 GMT -5
I really enjoyed this episode. I have never been a big Maxie fan but I thought he was great in the show. I really thought his design along with his guard designs really resembled Frank Miller's 300 characters.
Also I really loved the end where Batman finally accepts Batgirl as a partner. When Bats left a package of goodies for Batgirl on the rooftop by the signal, it really brought back memories of Batgirl Year One when Robin sent Batgirl her arsenal. And the final shot of Batman cast in shadows on the rooftop and Batgirl appears behind him cast in shadows as well was really cool. I loved how you only saw the white of their eyes. 10/10!
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Post by BatmAngelus on Feb 18, 2006 12:20:03 GMT -5
I liked the ep a lot.
Glad to see more development between Batman and Batgirl, as well as Babs proving herself in the field.
The Batwing was awesome, although short-lived.
A minor point, but I was a bit amused by the cross pollination of Greek mythology (Zeus, Harpies, tale of Icarus) and Roman history (the "gladiators", the thumbs-down on Batman). The colors on the costumes were more derivative of Trojan armor than Roman or Greek.
LaMarr had a great voice for Maxie Zeus.
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Post by /\/\att on Feb 18, 2006 12:57:05 GMT -5
We now have images from the episode (scroll up to the top)
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Post by All Star Batman on Feb 18, 2006 14:22:02 GMT -5
I'm happy Bats has accepted Bagirl as his partner, but how's she going to take it when Robin joins the group?
Now all thats left is for her to see the Batcave and know it's Bruce.
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Post by Jack-Ups on Feb 18, 2006 14:52:04 GMT -5
Cant wait!
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Post by blinker on Feb 18, 2006 15:29:05 GMT -5
it won't be a two-parter, unless they somehow incorporate Penguin and Mr. Freeze into it (remember, we were told there would be a Mr. Freeze/Penguin "team-up" episode, as well as another Hugo Strange one). but i doubt they could do that... i just don't see how pengy and Freeze would fit with Hugo. i'm sure it will be just a single-episode finale, featuring Hugo Strange (hopefully finding out Batman's identity -- that would be a good way to end the season). Maybe you're right. It could be just two regular episodes: Penguin teaming up with Freeze, then the finale with Strange. Or... Strange could hire both Penguin and Freeze if he found out Bruce was Batman, or that they just appear, and they fight and capture Batman and Batgirl (or just Batman), lead them to Arkham and Strange does his experiments on Batman mentally. And if anyone rememebrs one of the great TB episodes; Strange Minds, I can just think of that and thats it. |
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Post by The Dark Knight on Feb 18, 2006 19:55:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the pics Katherine! Here's a hero. I just love Maxie Zeus now so much. He's defin. one of my fave charaters and I definately want to see more of him since he onl appeared once in B:TAS
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Post by ??The Riddler?? on Feb 18, 2006 19:58:04 GMT -5
Thanks LaughingCats I mean Dark Knights, I'm still use to calling you that.  I love helping out LoG with screen captures and when Riddler comes I'll take probably 100 , lol. |
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Post by Dark Nightwing on Feb 18, 2006 23:23:22 GMT -5
Was I the only one reminded of Wildcat when Batman had his new costume? I must say that I find the Star Wars references to be blown out of proportion. I didn't think Star Wars once while I was watching. I was reminded more of Independence Day than Aldoran when they incinerated City Hall. Very cool ending. I have mixed feelings about the new Batwing. I wish it were a little bigger, yet I like the new design. I don't know. Still a good episode.
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Post by blinker on Feb 18, 2006 23:48:09 GMT -5
The Batwing does give a look that is a big departaure from the rest. The rest were bat-shaped, this wasn't. It was a fighter. It still had the basic colors that was in the two Batmobiles and Batboat but it was new. It had no bat wings. It just those spikes bats have on their wings at the ends. I liked it. Its about time he got one.
Its the same with the other vechiles:
The first Batmobile was based on the '60s TV show. But modernized and given armored touch ups. It was there because it wasn't used often (scratch Issue 2 of Superman/Batman) since once you said Batmobile (pre-Tumbler) you thought of the Keaton car.
Then when the second Batmobile came, it had the b asics of the Keaton one but more of it came from the TNBA version. It was bulkier and had more of a big, sleeker look. Plus, Batman-ier.
The Batboat, to me, must've been based on the Bat Skiboat from Batman Returns. Plus, it didn't have any bat-motifs on it. And it had something neither version of the batboat had; it could hover! Same goes for the Batcycle: its hi-tech, no bat motifs, it could be operated by itself (correct me if thats wrong in BTAS or comic standards) and it didn't look anything like it was Batman's.
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Post by DrGreenEvil on Feb 19, 2006 2:05:28 GMT -5
todays ep was really good. I thought it was a more out there ep with the airfights and the flying ship. Maxie Zeus is a decent villian. I can see us maybe getting an action figure of him, one maybe like Firefly where you can take the mask off to see his real face. I like how Batgirl is now Batmans partner, "in the loop". Just I kinda liked the old belt than the new one she has, I liked how it looked different. Im glad the batwing is in the show now, but the new design is gonna take some getting used to. With her in the loop now its gonna be interesting to see how they incorporate Robin next season.
DrGreenEvil
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Post by blinker on Feb 19, 2006 2:38:29 GMT -5
Hey, we got two more after this.
I believe that in those two more episodes Batgirl will be "on the inside" with Batman (in the cave, knowns its Bruce). So that once Grayson appears, she understands why he becomes Robin "easier" thna she was.
Otherwise, if she doesn't get in the inside, and doesn't understand Robin and how he came to be, she would have problems and may result in her being spoiled and hateful, which the creators WON'T DO.
On a side note; I believe Robin should be on the same age with Batgirl because of the lore of those two being in love. Won't work if he's 10.
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ckrtech
Legions Of Gothamite
Posts: 52
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Post by ckrtech on Feb 19, 2006 4:42:20 GMT -5
Loved the episode. The Batgirl "wants in" thing was getting really close to overdue. This episode continued on with that idea, had her accomplish multiple things on her own, and finally get "in the loop" by the end of the episode. Very nicely done. I am glad they didn't drag this out any longer.
Of course as many of you have pointed out, this leads to the question: Is she gonna get into the Batcave, know about Bruce, etc...? I'm looking forward to seeing how things go.
Didn't see the Star Wars parallel. And looking back on it, I don't see it either. Hahaha. Also - always keep in mind that Star Wars copied many things to create its story & almost every story you can think of has elements that have been "done before."
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Post by Batdan on Feb 19, 2006 20:15:04 GMT -5
I agree with those who have felt Maxie Zeus has historically been a Grade Z villain. This was the first time I actually liked him. In the past, he struck me as a refugee from the '60s series.
Random thoughts:
-- I liked the episode and I loved its look and its animation. Very sharp.
-- A Star Wars reference I don't think anyone's mentioned: When the escape pod disengages from Zeus' ship, it's the same image from the beginning of what we now call Episode IV when C3PO and R2D2 escape the cruiser at the beginning of the movie. This was a direct homage. Go back and check it out.
-- The was more a Batgirl ep than a Batman ep. Loved the ending and again I say I really like this version of Batgirl. I also got the BG: Year One reference.
-- Dug the new Batwing. My son almost jumped off the couch shouting that he wanted one as soon as they showed it. I'm sure that's what Mattel/WB intended -- even throwing in the EXP reference.
-- Y'know, what ever DID happen to Ellen Yin?
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Post by blinker on Feb 19, 2006 20:37:05 GMT -5
-- Dug the new Batwing. My son almost jumped off the couch shouting that he wanted one as soon as they showed it. I'm sure that's what Mattel/WB intended -- even throwing in the EXP reference. -- Y'know, what ever DID happen to Ellen Yin? I want to get the Batwing too. DFid you, or anyone else, noticed that the Batject they released was actually the batboat? I can answer about Yin: the actress Ming-Na is now on Inconceivable. Because of her busty schelude, they couldn't get her back as Yin. |
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Post by profgriffin on Feb 20, 2006 15:57:56 GMT -5
I loved it. My wife and son and I watched it together (as is our tradition on Saturday Mornings) and we were very impressed.
Maxi Zeus (maxi seemingly being coined by Batgirl) was an impressive villian and I hope he gets more than a one-shot like he did on TAS.
I loved Batgirl in this episode and yes, it really is her show all the way. She saves Gotham and it's her quick-thinking and hard-headedness (defying Bruce throughout ) that really solidifies her as partner material.
Of course, it's Alfred who makes it clear with his usual succent remarks.
Barbara did not impress me with her first few appearances but has continued to grow on us. I simply love her now. Quick-witted, rapid fire and a little foolhardy...and yes, the final shot did indeed make me want to stand up and cheer....
"I'm in the loop!"
Anyone remember the end of the BATMAN TAS episode with Maxie? I was always a fan of that scene as they wheel a straight-jacketed Maxie-Zeus into Arkham and he labels the inmates as Greek dieties one by one as he passes them...showing his true insanity has taken hold and he has lost touch completely with reality.
Janus- Two Face
Dionysus - Joker
Artemis - Poison Ivy
and finally he "returns home" to Olympus.
Powerful stuff for a cartoon. I hope this Maxi can return and get some similar mania driven moments.
Loved his design and his costume. Hope we see him immortalized in plastic in the near future!
I mean, Tremblor is coming out as a figure...and he was only in once show...(come to think of it, so was Bane!)
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batkit
Legions Of Gothamite
Posts: 37
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Post by batkit on Feb 21, 2006 2:31:20 GMT -5
[shadow=green,left,300]9/10!! This episode was really great, love it. I'm going to say though, MANY things in this show reminded me of STAR WARS. [/shadow] I like this ep a lot, and I also saw a handful of things reminiscent of Star Wars. The design/shape of the Batwing reminded me a lot of Darth Vader's TIE fighter. I am SO GLAD Batgirl is finally accepted as a sidekick. But I am curious to see how Robin is introduced. If Batman just decides suddenly to bring on a new partner I think it would be lame when he spent so long barely tolerating all of Batgirl's efforts. She worked for a long time with NO encouragement from the bat. ... but she's in the loop now ;D |
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[/shadow]
The fight at the end was what caught me. I give the episode a 10 out of 10 it was funny, action packed, and well done. I loved Phil LaMarr's voice talent he did excellent! 
