Episode 7 - 'Dawn of the Deadman!' Discussion Thread

[Mister J]

Batman teams up with Deadman to take down Gentleman Ghost.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0901/02/index.htm
Michael Rosenbaum, who starred as Lex Luthor in Smallville, is providing the voice of Deadman in the Jan. 16 episode of Cartoon Network's Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

The episode is titled "Dawn of the Deadman!" and teams Batman and Deadman against Gentleman Ghost.

Rosenbaum, 36, played Lex Luthor for the first seven seasons of Smallville.

His voice credits include Flash and Deadshot on Justice League/Justice League Unlimited, Kid Flash on Teen Titans and Agent West on The Zeta Project.

Airing: January 16

[Changeling]

This sounds cool as hell.

[GamerSlyRatchet]

This should be fun. Rosenbaum is a good voice actor, and definitely fits Deadman.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0901/05/index.htm

Anyone confused about Kamandi's teaser, though? Isn't he supposed to be from the future or something?

[3dman27]

from the promo batman is going the time travel route or a computer training simulation

[Mister J]

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0901/11/index.htm
Cartoon Network has offered a first look at the Batman: The Brave and the Bold incarnations of Deadman and Kamandi in promotions over the weekend.

The characters are featured in the "Dawn of the Deadman!" episode scheduled for Friday.

The episode features Kamandi in the opening segment, with Batman and Deadman teaming against Gentleman Ghost in the main segment. Green Arrow's sidekick Speedy also makes his first appearance.

Deadman is voiced by Michael Rosenbaum. The episode was written by Steven Melching and directed by Ben Jones.
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http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/310/batmanbrave0ot5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/970/batmanbrave5nj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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[SHADOWBAT69]

Seeing Speedy really wants me to see Robin.

[CLARKY]

and seeing Speedy makes me thinking that I would love to see the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Suddenly I find this cartoon suited for the team. And for the Crimson Avenger. :up:
Not a fan of this Deadman's design BTW.

[KatarHol]

Seeing Speedy really wants me to see Robin.
Yes! I think Robin is perfect for this show. I want to see the Joker,maybe like the old Superfriends/Scooby Doo style Joker,where he's just a pain in the ass and not a homicidal maniac.

[Mister J]

Robin has been confirmed. Although, with another 20 episodes lined up, I have no idea when he's going to show up.

[3dman27]

Yes! I think Robin is perfect for this show. I want to see the Joker,maybe like the old Superfriends/Scooby Doo style Joker,where he's just a pain in the ass and not a homicidal maniac.

wouldn't being "a pain in the ass" be BAT-MITES JOB?

[Mister J]

Man, that Bat-Mite appearance should be good. Maybe it'll measure up to when Mxyztplk used to mess with Superman on STAS.

[toxinwaste]

CBR News has release new clips and images (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19533) from the next episode of the animated series.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1231891377.jpg
http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1231891299.jpg
http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1231891364.jpg
http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1231891265.jpg

[DOG LIPS]

That first image is awesomesauce. :up::up:

[Blaztro]

I think the Joker has to appear. In the opening theme, the blocks have hero and villain names, Joker's is clearly displayed at one point. Also, in the picture montage thingy of heroes, Vigilante seems to be pictured.

[KatarHol]

wouldn't being "a pain in the ass" be BAT-MITES JOB?
Bat-Mite is coming? Awesome! Has he ever been animated before?

[3dman27]

Bat-Mite is coming? Awesome! Has he ever been animated before?

yes as a toy robot in BATMAN TAS [ as an inside joke] and in the 1970's new adventure of batman voiced by lennie wienrib he was the shows comic relief character

[terry78]

Don't sit there and tell me this show is for kids now. Don't even tell me that.

[DOG LIPS]

Awesome episode. :up::up:

[SHADOWBAT69]

This show is great. I love it more with each episode.

[Bathead]

Yeah, it's a kid show, alright, but I'll tell you this - it's the kind of Batman cartoon I wish I had when I was a kid, all I had was that stupid Super Friends and that horrible Batman and Robin cartoon with the voices of West and Ward, and let's not forget his lamentable appearance on that awful Scooby-Doo show. This "kid's" show is tons better than any of those kids shows, and if I wasn't able to enjoy this show as I do, I'd be mighty jealous. The thing I like about this show is that even though the primary target audience is young kids, it hasn't been dumbed down to the level that I had to put up with in my youth. The other thing is a certain amount of nostalgia in the presentation of heroes like Green Arrow in their Silver Age costumes and heroes and villians that haven't been seen in cartoons that much at all, if ever (I mean B'Wana Beast?, I haven't heard that name for over 30 years!). This appeals to this 54 year old kid.

[GamerSlyRatchet]

In the teaser, Batman goes to the distant future in order to create a vaccine, is helped by Kamandi, the last human on Earth, and Dr. Canus, an intelligent mutant dog. Both are chased by mutant rats and Batman returns to his own time...but not before leaving Kamandi a little present. Overall, the teaser was really good, and managed to tell a good, reasonable story out of a very special team-up. Like B'wana Beast and Atom before this, I hope we get a solo Kamandi team-up, especially due to the potential it could bring to an awesome episode. Now I know why they call them "teasers".

As for the main story, Batman is killed (or so it seems) by the ghastly Gentleman Ghost, who plans to get his revenge on England by using an army of the undead. However, Batman runs into Boston Brand, or Deadman, and convinces him to help him defeat Gentleman Ghost. First off, I'm glad Gentleman Ghost is getting his own episode. The guy just LOOKS cool, and he made a mere cameo in Justice League Unlimited and an episode of Super Friends. Also, I was amazed by the fact that Bruce's parents were brought up again, and in a very touching way. Whoever said this show was kiddy is flat out wrong.

Meanwhile, Green Arrow and Speedy help Batman dig up his body before he actually dies. Batman possessing Speedy was hilarious, and so was Arrow's Batman impersonation. Excellent Batman: The Animated Series reference! Actually, poor Speedy keeps getting mercilessly possessed. Deadman was also good. Michael Rosenbaum gives a solid performance as him. On one hand, I was little dissapointed with his design. The flesh color clashes badly with his costume, and I rather liked the pale blue from JLU and the comics. However, we see Deadman's origin, exactly like in the comics, and shows this show can deal with adult theme.

Overall, a much better episode than last week's. Great dialogue, good battles, and lots of fun in this one.

5/5

NEXT WEEK: First, Batman and Blue Beetle Ted Kord have an adventure together. Then, Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes wants to investigate more about the Blue Beetle legacy, and goes to Science Island, where a mad scientist uses the scarab to build an army of Blue Beetle robots, and only Batman can save the day.

[shadowdog]

Another great episode!
I'm loving this show

[Two-Face=Badass]

Just started watching the ep and already there is a Wilhelm Scream with the exploding billboard! :woot:

[Syncos]

Yeah, it's a kid show, alright, but I'll tell you this - it's the kind of Batman cartoon I wish I had when I was a kid, all I had was that stupid Super Friends and that horrible Batman and Robin cartoon with the voices of West and Ward, and let's not forget his lamentable appearance on that awful Scooby-Doo show. This "kid's" show is tons better than any of those kids shows, and if I wasn't able to enjoy this show as I do, I'd be mighty jealous. The thing I like about this show is that even though the primary target audience is young kids, it hasn't been dumbed down to the level that I had to put up with in my youth. The other thing is a certain amount of nostalgia in the presentation of heroes like Green Arrow in their Silver Age costumes and heroes and villians that haven't been seen in cartoons that much at all, if ever (I mean B'Wana Beast?, I haven't heard that name for over 30 years!). This appeals to this 54 year old kid.

He was in an episode of JLU...

[Two-Face=Badass]

Best episode yet. Gentleman Ghost is excellent and there was some great character development with Bruce wanting to cross over to be with his parents and also Deadman's acceptance of having a role to play in this world. We also got to see Deadman's proper origin, yes! Green Arrow's impersonation of Batman was hilarious and a nice tip to BTAS, and Speedy was great, a nice tip to Burt Ward yet still having his own distinct personality. Gentleman Ghost's theme tune was sweet too.

[Mister J]

This was the best episode yet. Man, was this good.

The teaser with Kamandi almost seemed to play out longer than usual; as if the running time was longer. I agree with the above response about Kamandi getting a full guest spot. Too many possibilities.

The Gentleman Ghost/Deadman stuff was great. Batman functioning again as the show's conscience and allowing some illumination on Deadman. The stuff with Green Arrow and Speedy just kicked things up a bit. Batman's reaction to seeing that GA was the closest hero available and his possession of Speedy GA doing the 'vengeance' line had me rolling and the obvious 60's show Robin stuff was nice.

I think that as the producers get even more comfortable with this format and the breadth of characters at their disposal, we're going to be in for even more of a treat.

[Ziggyman]

Sorry but...I saw some of the episode...But who's the stretchy dude and the girl in green...?

[Mister J]

I think you're referring to the teaser in the second episode, which also feature Gentleman Ghost. That was Plastic Man and Fire.

[Ziggyman]

Oh my bad...

Thanks...

[Cain]

Very solid, the gentleman ghost surprisingly held down an entire episode really well. Deadman was pretty spot on and Batman seeing his parents again in the spiritual plane surprisingly touching. Not bad for a "campy cartoon".

[Dread]

After last week's "iffy" episode, BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD needed a sure fire hit to restore some confidence in it's quirky but overall solid debut season. Thankfully, "Dawn of the Deadman" brings in some top notch acting talent in a story that works on a few levels.

It has been noted a few times that simply because the show's tone is lighter than most recent Batman cartoons, light enough that Batman performs daylight heroics and even makes jokes and "buddies" around with superheroes without it seeming like torture, that doesn't mean the show has forgotten about Batman's origin or motivation. Nor that it cannot get a little spooky or at least touch upon mature or "dark" subject matter.

Spoilers!

This episode not only has the villain of the piece, Gentleman Ghost, rise an army of zombie criminals who were executed for their crimes, but Batman seemingly dies.

In the teaser, Batman is having a future adventure with Kamandi, one of Jack Kirby's creations (which he created for a title that ran from 1972-1978). Basically, Kamandi hails from a post apocalyptic future where mutant animal creatures run wild and society has fallen (and the Statue of Liberty looks quite PLANET OF THE APES-ish; for the record, that movie predated Kamandi by about five years). He's trying to help Batman get back into a time portal with a vaccine for a deadly illness that their future depends on being cured. Unfortunately, the duo (along with Kamandi's ally Dr. Canus, a dog-man) are being chased by a gang of rat-men. While I am sure this was a treat for some old school DC fans who recall Kamandi, I know little of the franchise and it seemed a little generic. I did like how the art style of B:BATB manages to look enough like Kirby that I could quickly tell, just from the faithful hairstyle, that this was a Jack Kirby designed hero. Mikey Kelly voices Kamandi but he came off as a bit cliche; a typical arrogant young hero in a post apocalyptic world. But, for a teaser that only last a minute or three, it is fine. He ends up helping Batman escape with the formula, but thankfully for them, the Dark Knight left a time capsule that allows Kamandi to dispatch with the rat-men with a very Kirby-esque laser canon.

The producers/writers of this show, who have worked on other DC cartoons before, obviously like some of DC's more far out realities as they've made sure to include stuff like Warlock into JLU, but they never seem to click with me. Granted, it may be because it seems like much for a teaser. Or because this sort of thing was typical of a lot of cartoons I grew up with from the 80's-90's.

The crux of the episode, however, relies upon characters featured before. Gentleman Ghost, who showed up in a teaser of his own in the second episode, gets the full treatment this time. Basically an "undead" criminal who has returned to haunt the living and continue his infamy, he quickly is able to entrap Batman in an electronic coffin and bury him alive! Thankfully for Bats, he knows an Asian technique for going into a "near coma" and focusing his astral self outside of his body. It is in this form that he encounters another wayward ghost, Boston Brand. Brand is of course Deadman, another figure who has shown up before, who this time gets more of an arc.

The issue of death, however, is not treated flippantly throughout the episode. Very quickly, Batman is encountered by "the light" and the guise of eternal peace, in the form of the souls of his murdered parents. It is a light and pathway to "resting in piece" that Brand has been unable to find. It was actually rather sad to see Batman actually get to encounter his parents, only to have to forgo that peace for his quest for justice. Hardly something a lot of us expected from the splash, punchy previews for the series. Batman also tries to reach out to the cynical Brand, encouraging him to use his unrest wisely rather than simply wallowing in pity. Brand is further convinced when Batman reveals he knew full well who he was and was working to solve his murder.

And yes, Brand's murder is actually shown on screen.

Brand is voiced by Micheal Rosembaum, who of course has a long tenure with DC related shows; playing Lex Luthor for many seasons in SMALLVILLE as well as voicing The Flash in JUSTICE LEAGUE/JLU and even Kid Flash for a few episodes in TEEN TITANS. This time he adds a bit of a "pug" accent to Deadman, a murdered acrobat who has the ability to possess the bodies of others. Unable to pass into the great beyond for a reason he doesn't know, Deadman nevertheless agrees to help Batman free himself, and is aware of the infamy of Gentleman Ghost (played by Greg Ellis).

Unwilling to endanger a civilian, Batman instead implores Deadman to aid him by possessing a fellow superhero. After some skirmishes with the Ghost (who Batman can actually strike without magic-nulling Nth Metal weapons as a spirit, although he isn't nearly as used to the state as Deadman and the Ghost are), the duo run into Green Arrow and Speedy (played by the always hilarious Jason Marsden). James Arnold Taylor of course has played Green Arrow three times and by now we have gotten a sort of "arc" and familiarity of him as Batman's close friend and especially rival. In that way it mocks how originally, the two were very similar. Speedy stretches the joke further by acting almost exactly like Burt Ward's Robin from the 1966-1968 BATMAN TV series, right down to the fist-palm movements and the "Holy _____!" exclamations. Considering that Robin is due to appear himself at some point this season, I am curious how he will act.

After gathering the artifacts needed to raise an army of undead criminals, Speedy & Green Arrow are able to free Batman, and then with Deadman possessing Speedy (as well as Batman, allowing Deidrich Bader to copy the accent for a few sentences), they have their final battle. Naturally, the Ghost is thwarted and Batman is saved, but the moral gets through to Deadman about being selfless. After being offered eternal peace, he returns to Batman in a moment of need and announces his pledge to help people, as well as solve his own murder.

Rosenbaum does a great job as Deadman, giving a bit more of a memorable performance for me than Raphael Sbarge, who voiced the character in the "Dead Reckoning" episode of JLU. Much like the other guest stars in this show, Deadman is a quirky C-List character who rarely shows up in other cartoons or is well known.

BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD seems to be a melting pot for some of the lessor known DC characters, but honestly that is giving the show a sort of unique style to it. This is a show where the biggest superhero other than Batman himself is Green Arrow, who has shown up the most. Where B'wanna Beast can actually have his original, gross Silver Age power. Where Batman can fight costumed supervillains or giant bugs and, unlike "Critters", it works.

In some ways the "lightness" of the show works, firstly, because the writers are not afraid of it or feel the need to make it "hip" or post-modern, but because darkness is acknowledged. This show has now shown two superheroes whose origins involved death. Even Plastic Man's origin was a little creepy. Rather than being light by omitting the even mention of dark things, this show presents some dark subject matter. It just doesn't let said subject matter bog it or it's characters down. In some ways, that is a positive message for viewers of all ages.

A solid episode with good acting, animation, and some thrilling combat. A good work all around.

Honestly, people who are bypassing this because of a "lighter" Batman are missing out on a solid DC show here.

[spider-neil]

for the love of pete enough with green arrow, there are more than a handful of heroes in the dc universe.

[Blaztro]

Green Arrow is Batman's best friend in the superhero world. It's only natural Green Arrow makes at least a couple appearances.

[Rowen]

this episode was pretty good & kindof creepy at the same time. with all the dead stuff refrences. i duuno what else to say about, so i won't.

[Doctor Jones]

Good, solid episode.

The GA and Speedy bit was funny.

"Listen very carefully. I'm Batman!"

[Milu]

Just saw a rerun of it.

I lol'd hard at the Wilhelm scream.

[Aramax]

I know this is an old thread but I had to comment on this.I LOVE this ep.
LOVE LOVE and LOVE.From the Kamandi teaser(which IMHO is the best teaser) to the raising of the dead. This one had it all.