Two’s company and three’s a crowd and Cartoon Network’s “DC Nation” block is about to get crowded.
Warner Bros., DC Entertainment, and Cartoon Network have announced this week that the next show to join their Saturday Morning cartoon line-up will be Beware the Batman!
A cool, new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise, ‘Beware the Batman’ incorporates Batman’s core characters with a rogues gallery of new villains not previously seen in animated form.
Along with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana, the Dark Knight faces the twisted machinations of Gotham City’s criminal underworld led by the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this action-packed detective thriller deftly redefines what we have come to know as a “Batman show.” Featuring cutting-edge CGI visuals to match the intricate twists and turns of the narrative, Batman steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight for an entirely new generation of fans.
With WBA’s Sam Register executive producing, and Batman Beyond’s Glen Murakami and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated’s Mitch Watson producing, ‘Beware the Batman’, based on characters from DC Comics, is coming soon to Cartoon Network!
One thing of note: it would appear from both the image released and from the statement that they are going with the CGI animation style currently being used on Green Lantern: The Animated Series. It’s probably not the most popular decision, but I bet it’s cheaper than going with the traditional animation style employed on Young Justice. While I prefer the traditional animation style, I don’t hate the CGI look of Green Lantern. It seems appropriate for that four color space adventure. Will it translate to the dark shadows of Gotham City?
I guess we’ll find out “soon.”
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I actually find the GL cartoon completely unwatchable, because of the plastic look of the characters. Sad to think of the CGI style taking over more and more.
Agreed. I was so excited for a GL cartoon, but I couldn’t make it through an entire episode. Disappointing to hear they are animating Batman the same way. I’ll stay hopeful that they pull it off, if not there’s always Young Justice.
Secret Agent Alfred. Secret. Agent. Alfred.
Eh, I’m obliged to give most comic book shows a shot. If it’s at least as good as Green Lantern, I’ll follow it.
EX-Secret Agent.
I know the Nolan movies have emphasized Alfred’s past in the British military, and I think something similar has popped up in the comics from time to time, but does anyone know where Alfred’s pre-service past has been established?
Personally I like Alfred being more than just butler/chauffer/cook/medic.
Sounds great!
Professor Pyg!
Not a fan of the CGI style either, probably a miss for me.
I am not a fan of CGI on TV at all, but I need to know how they’re going to pull Professor Pyg off on Saturday Mornings.
The story of GL is starting to pick up and it’s helping me get over my problems with it. So, once again, as long as the story is strong, it could work and work well.
I’m down. Always wanted to check out the GL cartoon, I just don’t even watch the Cartoon Network so I have no idea when it comes on!!
Its up on OnDemand
I’m sure I’ll check this out in a year or so, when it’s on Netflix or Hulu.
The animation on Green Lantern seems uninspired, but it doesn’t keep me from watching it, or enjoying it. I grew up (as probably most of the people who use this site) watching the classic transformers, GI Joe and Ninja Turtles and so most modern cartoons seem lame in comparisson. there are exceptions, such as Justic League and then the Beast Wars transformers cartoon. The CGI Green Lantern reminds me of Beast Wars a lot. they are taking the Red Lanterns in a completely different direction , but I like the set up they have for the story. I bet there will eventually be a crossover.
Enough with the CGI already, CGI is great for movie special effects but not so much for weekly television shows.
i feel the same way….but then we had our 7 yr old niece stay with us for the weekend, and we showed her some classic 2D style cartoons…she said they were boring, but freaked out over all this strange looking CGI stuff on the kids channels. Actually preferred the new 3d Garfield over the Original Classic Garfield and Friends….uggggh… Kids today.
Officially we can’t crap on this. It’s a Batman cartoon. It’s a safe bet it will be good no matter how it looks. Did anyone look at that first promo art for Brave and the Bold and think it was going to be the gold it was?
I’m sure it works great for kids (who matter much more with this than I do, so it’s cool) as well as a lot cheaper to produce. But I really do not like the CG style of Green Lantern at all. Probably will give this a pass. Which is just fine. Like I said, I’m not the target demo here. And I still have my Batman: The Animated Series box set to watch whenever I please.
On a related note, THE don’t miss panel of Emerald City Comic Con this weekend, IMO:
Celebrating 20 Years of Batman: The Animated Series
Room: 4C3-4
Time: 2:00 – 3:00
It’s hard to believe but it’s been 20 years since Batman: The Animated Series premiered! Come hear Bruce Timm (producer), Alan Burnett (writer), Kevin Conroy (Batman) and Tara Strong (Batgirl) tell you tales of the Caped Crusaders past and let you in on what the future may hold for the Dark Knight! Hosted by Dan Roberts (KJR 95.7 FM).
The CGI Green Lantern show is great I think. The tone is spot on and as it goes on it gets better and better.
CGi isn’t really cheaper to produce either, you still have to animate everything no matter what the tools are. Both mediums have their hinderances and benefits.
Depends on the CGI. All animation is expensive but some animation is cheaper than others.
Green Lantern animation is okay but I still prefer Avengers EMH over it.
They’re going to use Anarky? For reals!? Oh man I am so 100% on board with that.
….and I didn’t even notice Professor Pyg till now! Cause when I think what’s appropriate for children, oh yeah, I think Professor Pyg.
I wasn’t big on the new Green Lantern series because of the CGI, but after giving it a shot I’m digging it. Looking forward to this new show.
I don’t watch many cartoons regularly anymore but do love the direct to bluray animated movies, just watched all of Avengers season one on Netflix over 3 days and loved it. I streamed most of the Young Justice off of Xbox and dug that over the what seems like 2 yrs its taken to make the 1st season. As far as CG goes for animation, I think it can be great eye candy like Star Wars Clone Wars(like to buy the box sets and just put em on in the background whilst I read), or it can be cheese. I haven’t watched GL but my main comix chat friend digs it and I doubt they’ll do a lousy Batman at this point in time w all the good buzz around him and how many Battoons have come before.
Btw when I was in film school majoring in tv and motion pictures / special fx they were saying its just CG now not CGI, like it matters. But good point about seeing how CG works well with colorful GL but shadowy Batman? I think this will be a shadowy cg we’ve yet to see where greys, blues and reflections of things like streetlights add all the spice to a scene. And the choice to not use just the usual rogues gallery is a plus in a new direction, looking forward to it.
“but I bet it’s cheaper than going with the traditional animation style employed on Young Justice. While I prefer the traditional animation style”
Seriously? Aren’t CGI more expensive? At least according to Sam Register when he talked about Green Lantern.
Not in all cases; animation in general is expensive. But if this particular CGI is more expensive (and if he says it you have to believe it) then it must be a stylistic choice which means they think it’s what the kids want. Which they probably do since that’s how most animated movies are done, and have been done for a while.
its only cheaper in that there is a huge pool of talented and experienced CG animators working today, since thats where all the money is. You’d be incredibly surprised what animated shows are done completely digitally.
2D hand drawn animation is a dying art.
I’m sure fans like us may gripe about the CGI and story changes, but in the end, kids of this generation will probably love it and appreciate the animation. We always have Batman: The Animated Series…
I keep meaning to check all of this stuff out, but life intrudes on best laid plans. That and sleeping in on Saturday is amazing.
It’s Batman. That alone earns it a very open-minded shot from me. Joel Schumacher isn’t directing, so I think we’re ok here (Has that reference jumped the shark yet? probably.. but hey). I’ve enjoyed just about every incarnation of animated Batman.
I can’t really remember.. was “The Batman” cartoon controversial with the fans? I liked it. Seems like it just had the misfortune of being the first DC show to be separate from the most excellent “Bruce Timm universe” that was still so fresh in everyone’s mind. Batman: Brave and the Bold was cool too. Especially once you picture how much fun Diedrich Bader must have been having while pretending to be Batman. LOL.