GameTavern - "The Batman" New Animated Series Announced

Well, you can't really call it a comeback as he really hasn't been off TVs in the last decade or so with 4 animated series and a part in a 5th(Batman: The Animated Series, The Adventures of Batman and Robin, WB's Batman which was also part of the Superman/Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond and his stint as a character, but not "member" of the Justice League). Batman gets an all new cartoon series. This one takes a different approach to the Batman and his mythos. for anyone who follows comics, it's similar in vein to Batman: Year One, Year Two and I believe it went up to Year Three, I may be mistaken.

It stars a younger Bruce Wayne in his mid-20s or so and details his early career and how he became the Batman. It will also feature the introduction of some of his more infamous foes such as joker, Two-Face, Catowoman and so forth.

Anyhow here is some details as well as promo images from the new show. It hits airwaves this Fall on the WB, then Cartoon Network in early 2005.

Quote:

WARNER BROS. ANIMATION PRODUCING "THE BATMAN," AN ALL-NEW TAKE ON THE DARK KNIGHT FOR KIDS’ WB! AND CARTOON NETWORK

U2’s The Edge To Perform Theme Song For New Batman Series

(Sherman Oaks, CA – February 9, 2004) "The Batman," an innovative, all-new animated television series based on the famed DC Comics super hero Batman, is being produced by Warner Bros. Animation for Kids’ WB! and Cartoon Network, it was announced today by Sander Schwartz, President, Warner Bros. Animation; Paul Levitz, President and Publisher, DC Comics; John Hardman, Senior Vice President, Programming, Kids’ WB!; and Sam Register, Senior Vice President of Original Animation, Cartoon Network.

"The Batman" will feature the most complex and intriguing character in comic book history in action-packed super-heroic adventures, melding the renowned character’s extraordinary physical prowess and super-sleuthing skills with a new range of experimental Bat-gadgets and amped-up Batmobiles. This series picks up Batman’s story in year three: in his mid-twenties, just finding his way as protector, defender and Caped Crusader, while balancing his public persona as billionaire bachelor Bruce Wayne. Accentuating the original take on the series, The Edge from multi-Grammy Award-winning sensation U2 will perform the series’ theme song.

"Batman is one of animation’s most recognizable and most popular characters," said Schwartz. "For decades, legions of fans throughout the world have enjoyed Batman comics, feature films, television series and made-for-video releases. The new series will continue this timeless tradition, while adding an exciting new interpretation that will appeal to current fans, as well as attract a whole new generation to the celebrated Batman franchise."

"‘The Batman’ is an important new addition to the Batman mythology, produced by our award-winning colleagues at Warner Bros. Animation," said Levitz. "We look forward to working with them to make it the new creative benchmark for adventure animation, just as ‘The Adventures of Batman’ set the tone for the field a decade ago."

Living in Gotham, a metropolis where shadows run long and deep, beneath elevated train tracks and within a 150-year-old drainage system, this younger Batman will confront updated takes of familiar foes — meeting each member of his classic Rogue’s Gallery for the first time. From the likes of Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Riddler and Man-Bat, among others, the war on crime jumps to the next level with a new arsenal at the Dark Knight’s disposal, all operated and linked by an advanced remote-controlled invention he dubs the "Bat-Wave."

"Batman has thrilled audiences for decades and we look forward to bringing a contemporary vision of this classic hero to a new generation," said Hardman. "Kids' WB! is eager to work with the Studio and help expand the scope of this timeless franchise."

"To me, this is a dream project. Batman is the ultimate action-adventure property, and I've been a fan all of my life," said Register. "The characters will remain true to their heritage, but we're going to deliver an action-adventure show that will feel so fresh and stylish that today's kids will love it as much as we all did growing up. I think this new Batman animated series will be a show that kids and their parents will watch together."

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=102021
Click that for more info as well as promo art