Shizzer

9:34pm: DCAU Resource: Fall 2009 - The Zeta Project , Batman, and JL: Crisis on Two Earths News
TZP

Finished up adding The Zeta Project content to the 'ole site. But of course, no images from season 2. Someone wake up and release that dvd. But it got me a little flustered that I'm so close to having added everything to the site. Three years ago, all I had to start with was Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.

I even updated my highly prized Timeline with TZP. However, like the TIME cover from BTAS, I had to disregard the year that Zeta rebelled and substituted it with the year that made sense to me. I chalked it up to the "not everyone cared about continuity or took it into account when writing" rationale. Then I had to do the math and it seemed like within the universe, TZP took place from 2054-2057 so that the attack on the Knossos at the series finale is the last event before we see Terry confront Amanda Waller.

Now, onto the next project. Instead of jumping to Static Shock, I decided to hold off for last and tackle adding objects, places, and beasts to the Timmverse. I paused work on it and left it on the backburner for too long, time to get it done.

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

The season 2 opener was a hoot but thanks jugheads for showing just one episode before the hiatus. No new eps until January 1. TV Guide gave away who will appear so if interested...let me know.

Thoughts on "Death Race..."

-Loved all the one-liners and Joker's props, even a Laughing Fish.

-It was a nice twist to make Blockbuster a parallel of Captain Marvel but instead evil and empowered through science. The handshake was priceless.

-Gardner - "Ha! One Punch! What a mook."

-Debut of Woozy Winks. Whoa. Remember, just about anyone can appear on this show.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS

The press release came out today. The movie will release on February 23, 2010. The special features will be terrible but the one bright light is it will include the first DC Showcase short. Despite reports of Jonah Hex earlier, it will feature a different character. It's written by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and features the voices of Gary Cole and Alyssa Milano. Yes, Milano. I recall she did voice work for the recent Ghostbusters: The Video Game so it's not totally new. I have a theory on who she'll voice but don't want to spoil who this short is about if you don't want to know.

9:20pm: Heroes 411 "Thanksgiving" Review
Overall Rating: Makes me dread my Thanksgiving.

SAMUEL AND JOSEPH

Samuel killed his own brother. That rules out Rapid Cellular Regeneration in Joseph’s repartee. Wanted to see Joseph use a power, any power. Sigh.

THE CARNIVAL

Can’t wait to see if Lydia and Edgar can mount an insurrection. The scene where Hiro saves Edgar was priceless.

HIRO

Geez, even I was screaming at Samuel to tell Hiro so his dialogue is something besides “Tell me Charlie is.” To add insult to injury, it looks almost like Hiro’s mind got scrambled almost like with Arthur. Please, don’t be true. The Watson reference made me think he went to find Ando, who has dropped off the face of the earth to plan his wedding.

LAUREN

So CIA and being stalked by HRG? What a life. I still think, HRG will recruit her for the new Company and to confront the Carnival in the season finale.

THE BENNET’S

“We’re a complex modern family.” LOL

The return of Mr. Muggles was the best part, and he’s got a girlfriend.

Claire is a moron and HRG was right, she needs to stop acting like a child. But at least she and Gretchen are headed to the Carnival.

THE PETRELLI’S AND SYLAR

Totally bought that Angela was going to get killed. Looks like a set-up for Nathan and Sylar to mind-fight.

9:51pm: Heroes 410 "Brother's Keeper" Review
Overall Rating: Great episode! I liked the story and how they managed to mostly keep it to one on one scenes.

MOHINDER AND HIRO

Thank goodness. He was great this episode, pretty much back to season one like-ability and not TSTL (Too Stupid To Live) mode that haunted him for a long time. I was impressed when Mohinder built his own compass to find Samuel with.

I cheered when Mohinder found a Kevlar vest under his shirt and Hiro was there. But I quickly booed when Mohinder wakes up in a nutfarm. Really, Hiro? If Mohinder stops Samuel, he wouldn't have to worry about Charlie being kidnapped eight weeks later. I still think that even if Samuel were neutralized before Hiro first met him in Tokyo, Hiro would still remember Charlie in New York and go there, regardless.

TRACY AND CLAIRE

The foot, cry, and laugh scene was the perfect breathing space between Mohinder and the Petrelli plots. And Noah walks in and sees it.

PETER AND NATHAN

It's good to see them team up again and not at odds with each other. Of all the things you chose to replicate, Peter, why not Sylar's Empathic Mimicry then you wouldn't have the one-shot deal anymore, absorb all of Sylar's powers, including Flight, and be done with it?

JOSEPH AND SAMUEL

Fascinating. It was like this whole time that Samuel was believed to be the meek, misunderstood younger brother but it turns out that Samuel is far from it. Joseph painted him in a way that reminds me of how Samuel was trying to "awaken the sleeping lion" in Sylar a few episodes ago. Great to see what he wants, but the why lingers in my head. There has to be something more than the Anakin Skywalker-More Power (whatever you want to call it) motif. I think without a doubt, that Samuel could very well be the source of Earth exploding in half in the Season 3 alternate future (but could also very well be the fact that too many people have powers, and the Force overloads and BOOM).

PARKMAN AND SYLAR

Feels like so long since I saw Parkman do Mind Control and laughed. Even though it seems like a very bad thing that Sylar has returned to his body: the good that comes of it I think will be a battle of the minds between Nathan and Sylar and Parkman may be propelled into the main story now.

9:25pm: Batman :TBATB "The Fate of Equniox!" Review
Overall Rating: Okay. I mean after the awesomeness of "Mayhem of the Music Meister!", "Inside the Outsiders!" and "The Fate of Equinox!" seemed like a big step on the brakes. But there were some moments that were great and a reoccurring theme was brought back to end the season.

OPENING

This Two-Face opener and the Catwoman one, combined with the Joker team-up in "Game Over for Owlman!" makes we want to see more A-List Batman villains in the A-story of the episode as the principal threat. James Remar made a great Two-Face, even the snarls of his evil side reminded me of B:TAS Two-Face.

EQUINOX

It was an interesting twist to make him an agent of the Lords of Order and Chaos, the higher power he referenced. Although it was implied and moot, I think Equinox knew Batman was going to help him ascend from the start hence the previous encounters. It's a contrast of sorts, give an orphan all these insane powers and responsibilities without first training him much, like how Bruce Wayne spent years abroad and reached his peak form, and how wouldn't Equinox have snapped?

GUESTS

We even got see Nabu and Typhon animated. This show is so accessible that anyone can appear. Even Fluke the dolphin returned for the season finale.

It was very odd to have Oded Fehr voice Equinox as he fights Dr. Fate. It seemed really hard to do but I could get why Dr. Fate declined to be the host at the end. He's an agent of the Lords of Order, he doesn't have the ability to improvise or be unpredictable like Batman, hence why he was elected. It would have been awesome to see Aquaman given the chance.

MAGIC AND SCIENCE

I can see a lot of fans rolling their eyes. Batman would never accept all these magic and powers. He's Batman. But this was the same series where he elected to be empowered by three Green Lanterns. But it's irrelevant, everytime Batman chooses to take on something from his utility belt or from an outside force, in the end, Batman always turns to his brains to outsmart the opponent. In way, it ties in all the way to the first episode when Batman advised Blue Beetle that his greatest resource is to use his head. These augmentations, it's just to level the playing field and make these fights believable, another way for the staff to throw in references and homages, and eye candy for the fans.

THE OBSCURE

Holy dead society reference! Machu Picchu and the Incan gyroscope?! These writers sure know their obscurities. And what a great time for this episode to come out, what with 2012 in movie theaters everywhere and feed into the zeitgeist of paranoia.

THE ENDING

The final line was the corniest, most Silver Age line ever but still the best final line I've heard in awhile.

MY GRIPES

What, not even a cameo of Inza?

During the space battle, I thought it would have been much more enjoyable if all or some of the heroes were astral projected by Fate to coach Batman on using their gimmicks. Imagine Green Arrow telling him how to aim? I would have laughed out my pants.

So if the Lords of Order and Chaos knew Equinox went nuts, why didn't they just strip him of the power they gave him? As a Stargate fan, I should be more used to seeing ascended, omniscient beings sitting on their collective butts when Earth is in trouble.

9:07pm: Heroes 4x09 "Shadowboxing" Review
A really great episode. They seem to get better and better each week. Still...did the writers abandon Tracy, Ando, and Angela?

NEW YORK

I liked how they showed Emma being overwhelmed by all the people in Mercy Heights then lending her skills to save some lives and opening up to Peter about her nephew. However, with things going so well for Emma, I can only imagine she'll probably get a visit from the Carnival soon, she did get the cello from them, right?

I liked the exploration of the Healing Touch side of the power Peter has. It explains why Linderman paused a little after he healed the plant and Nathan's wife. Very subtle. I loved that one line where Emma asked him if shuld just stop using that power and he replies, "And be ordinary?"

PARKMAN AND SYLAR

Wow. Although it was funny seeing them go from LA to Albuquerque to Midland, Texas, it was so amazing to see Matt and Sylar trade jabs at each other then ending with Matt sacrificing himself.

ARLINGTON

Goodbye, Gretchen. I think the writers did this to move Claire's story forward and get her into the Carnival. I thought it was hilarious that the Haitian appeared. The last time he followed someone's order to follow someone, it was the Volume 3 finale when Peter asked the Haitian to follow Sylar...and he didn't return for a very long time. I was underwhelmed by the name reveal. Rene? Definitely the name the Company gave him since in the graphic novels, I can't see that being the name his father gave him.

Despite the disinterest in making sense of the timeline, I did appreciate that they dropped the reference to Halloween coming in the sorority scene. Slutty pirate?

Company flashback=pure awesome. Looks like Becky's father had the same power as Angela Petrelli's father in "1961." Funny how both of them never had a first name. Glad they settled that Danko was the one who killed Joseph. Now I really want to see that story. Given Joseph was an empath, he would have been a formidable target, right? Well, not formidable enough, but still, he must have had maximum 50+ powers based on all the carnies walking around this season. But I guess I'm assuming they mean empathic mimicry like Peter had in Volume One.

10:55pm: Dr. Horrible News
1) A prequel comic book is coming out November 18 for $3.50. It apparently deals with Horrible's origins. Hmm. MTV has a 7 page preview: http://www.mtv.com/photos/thumbnails.jhtml?fid=1625492

2) Meanwhile, the sequel to Dr. Horrible is also ongoing. So far only Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Nathan Fillion have been mentioned. There's also a few songs written and a title, but mum's the word. http://io9.com/5396602/dr-horrible-2-has-songs-a-title-and-nathan-fillion

All I can say is, Yes!!

11:10am: DCAUR: Mayhem of the Music Meister Review and News
http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2240

My formal review of Batman: The Brave and The Bold is up on Animation Insider. It's a two pager, one for the episode and one for the soundtrack. Enjoy, I totally had writer's block on this one as I mentioned earlier so I hope it seems slightly better than most of my reviews. But I found my angle, I don't think any other critic used it like I did but we'll see.

Also, be sure to tune in this Friday as the next new episode airs, "Inside the Outsiders!". I've seen it ahead of time and it's pretty cool to me and features a villain who was a redshirt in the JLU incarnation of the Legion of Doom. Then I guess next week will be the season finale.

After finishing up this The Brave and The Bold stuff, I took a break from work on The Zeta Project, lot of personal stuff going on that was draining my time and energy and I guess from the marathon of adding so many series to the website tuckered me out. But I'm looking to get back in the groove of things and finish up TZP by next week, after that I'll start watching Static Shock and after that adding Objects, Places, and Beasts to the Timmverse section, a project I've put on the backburner for years but its fitting it'd be the last thing I complete before being totally up to date.

Once that's done, I plan on getting a career after graduating college and being unemployed since May.

11:09am: I thought the second half was rushed but in hindsight, I think it was a good idea to introduce the different factions in the story, the V's, the Peace Ambassadors (resemblance to Mao's youth Red Guard?), the Resistance, and the Traitors and get through the rhetoric of setting up the premise of the original series (in turn freeing up the writers to move on and try to stand out from its shadow, at least a little). Maybe they could have milked up who the Visitor sleeper agents are but I'm sure it will come soon with Elizabeth Mitchell's character in the CT division.

Speaking of that, it was interesting to fashion them as terrorists (from what I heard of, the original compared them to Nazi's/totalitarians). Send in an advance sleeper cell then some time later, send the fleet as benevolent aliens, and presumably, do what happened in Independence Day (loved that scene). One thing I didn't understand was if the Resistance recruited the Traitor (the man who was going to propose to the woman), wouldn't they have carved his flesh to check if he were human, too? Guess it was a recent addition amid increased paranoia and tensions.

As a Joss Whedon and Lost fan, what pulled me in were Alan Tudyk, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Morena Baccarin then later the 9 minute sneak peek. This will probably be my replacement for Mad Men when the season finale airs next Sunday. However, in regard to the actors, I didn't care for (even hated) the actor that plays Mitchell's son. I guess teen angst repulses me these days.

The Resistance vs. Visitors scene was cool even though the floating spike ball was too CG for me (yes, coming from an episode with alien space ships, interiors of alien space ships, and alien reptilian flesh). Tudyk's flesh reveal was pretty cool. I have to go google for images from the original series to compare but I totally loved when his eye opened, you so knew that would happen. Like a crowbar would take out an alien reptile.

But a pretty cool pilot all together, the last one I saw was the one for Fringe. Definitely going to keep watching V (the show with the same red logo for V for Vendetta - awkward?) for the next four weeks and whenever it comes back from the Olympics if the Internet whispers are true, regardless, I'm an instant fan after tonight.

1:48pm: Heroes 408 Once Upon a Time in Texas Review
Overall Rating: Best time since "How to Stop An Exploding Man"!

HIRO AND CHARLIE

Loved they got Lynette a line, and here about Hiro's butt, haha. The next scene was an interesting homage to Volume 4 when he also 'borrowed' clothes off a line except this time he met the child, Pistol Petey (don't ask, I just saw he was listed as so).

Hiro was the man this episode. All humor seemed to flow so well, from the Mothra, Ryokan, and Chrono Trigger reference, to calling his past self an idiot, wheeling out Sylar and hiding him in a bus, imitating Future Hiro's voice, and "Who cares about the sword?!"

But damn, he was willing to make a deal with Sylar? I don't blame Charlie for snapping at him later on. It reminded me that Hiro probably still thinks Sylar died at Kirby Plaza. Guess he's in for a surprise when he sees him at the Carnival.

THE CARNIVAL

The tattoo on Lydia tonight was superb. Not only Hiro but how she sensed that his presence would affect HRG, Claire and Sylar and it looked like they were connected by the DNA Symbol, nice touch.

But Christ, the reveal with what Samuel made Arnold do to Charlie was a mind job and a half (Remind anoyone of Caitlin anyone?). I felt for Hiro so much. Then he reveals he killed Mohinder?! I feel like Samuel is coming along as a great villain. He's evil alright but all he wants to do is keep his family together.

In hindsight, it is humorous that Robert Knepper is the narrator on the Previously On... segment from the start of the season, replacing Sendhil. Anyway, it is very intriguing that Samuel believes that preventing Mohinder's death is the lynchpin of his plans.

HRG AND LAUREN GILMORE

Total bore-fest. I know it was suppose to be a contrast to Hiro and Charlie's romance but the fact that the writers disregarded the timeline they built up in this series and shoehorning a character into continuity made me bald, figuratively. I suspect this was a flimsy attempt at introducing a character that will reappear three episodes later in the present story and be a crucial asset to HRG, if not the formation of the new Company. With that said, "I'm Haitianing you" was an adorable line.

They are really dragging this theme of HRG not having the job he wanted way tooooo much. Wasn't he pissed off at Claire at this point and grounded her so she'd miss Homecoming?

8:35pm: Heroes 507 Strange Attractors Review
Rating: Better than the Preview Let On

THE PARKMAN'S AND SYLAR

The sex scene was...man they sure are throwing in a lot of sex this season. I don't remember as much last time around. Very scary progressions though, Sylar can now reverse roles and force Matt as the mental projection. At least there's a set up for Mohinder to return to show. I just hope he's better written this season and not TSTL.

CAINAN, GEORGIA

The HRG and Tracy team up was interesting and the fact he referred to Jeremy's power as a dual ability was nice reveal. However, I can't help but felt disgusted that the people of this hick town did a hate crime and killed a teenager. And HRG and Tracy's different reactions were so powerful.

Jeremy was a good person on the inside but just did terrible things. The Company totally failed him. I liked his conversation with Tracy and how he refused to use his power on Deputy Gill at the end.

ARLINGTON UNIVERSITY

Good to see Claire squash this lesbian talk that's been steaming on the interweb. It a cool twist and progression for Claire to flip the sorority sister when they barged into the dorm room then Becky caller her Buffy. :)

I was surprised and amazed at Becky's reveal after getting whacked by Claire, Claire getting impaled, and the sorority sisters seeing it.

THE CARNIVAL

Interesting. So it seems that the Compass acts like a sonic key and opens the door to the Carnival for specials? I can buy that maybe one of the specials set up the Carnival slightly out of phase and these compasses were engineered to help the Carnies and recruits find it. If it's ever going to be directly explained on the show...not holding my breath on that one. Add in Samuel's line about connection, too.

Tracy and Samuel was a cool stand-off and with Sylar in there. Plus, if you follow the online stuff, it ties into iStory from the Bowman's, the flame throwing family that Samuel shows off, point of view instead.

THE ENDING

The way I'm starting to view the Carnival towards the overall Heroes theme of living normal lives, is that the Carnival is the shortcut, the easy way out than trying to struggle and remain 'invisible' as the episode put it, live in constant fear, paranoia, and lie to your family and friends. The past three seasons have been about living in the shadows, manipulations, secrets, and indirect maneuvering whereas the Carnival appears and offers the exact opposite solution.

I'm not surprised specials are flocking to it. Most of them are just plain tired of hiding themselves. The Carnival is much more charismatic and direct, when something happens, they don't fill out papers, erase memories, or whip up false identities...they kill and most times do it indiscriminately.

I sort wonder what kind of battle it would have been to see the Company vs. the Carnival.

PREVIEW

Ever since "Villains," I'm always 50/50 skeptical of flashback episodes especially ones that happen within events that happened on the show. Especially now since "The Butterfly Effect."

11:30pm: DCAU Resource: Plastic Man Pilot and Batman Review
PLASTIC MAN

Just got the Plastic Man series set in the mail today and added a section for the 2006 unaired pilot that never got greenlit. Pretty cool to see what never came to be but I guess in a way, Tom Kenny still got to play Plastic Man on The Brave and The Bold. I thought it was cool he was one of the writers on the pilot, too. As for the pilot, itself, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I laughed so many times at every gag but I wonder where it would have ended up, Friday Afternoon or Saturday Morning. It sort of has that Looney Tunes sensibility so I'm inclined to think Saturday Morning.

The Human Puddle reminded me a Woody Woodpecker a little. Even when he knocked the water tower down, he made a similar sound. Plas' way of beating him was priceless, especially when the hungry natives appeared. Plas' parole officer, Archie, cracked me up with his tough love. All those goofy villains in the beginning were a nice nod to the old school series though I think they were all brand new.

But anyway, chucked out a new section after I updated...

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

Mayhem of the Music Meister was awesome. I got a semi-sneak peak today because I also received an advance copy of the soundtrack before it goes on sale tomorrow. But I was blown away by the episode, itself. Tucker and crew top themselves on a regular basis and Mayhem is the best episode yet. Neil Patrick Harris makes a great singing villain, I even went and rewatched Dr. Horrible. Oh, Bad Horse and the Evil League of Evil. Going back to Batman, I did go a little insane looking at all those cameoes, the most yet so far. But luckily in my moment of delusion, my brain put it together that these were all the heroes and villains who originated on Earth.

My favorite scene and song was the Arkham/"Drive Me Bats" section. I noticed a new addition, Psycho Pirate right next to King Tut in the first room. I thought it was cool that they managed to sneak in an electroshock room without using it onscreen. And ah yes, the final scene where the Joker appears along with several Bat Rogues, sweet.

Other things, Black Manta was hilarious to me in this episode. First, denying he sang then appearing at Blackgate in a giant fish bowl, lmao. Glad to see they began to address Black Canary and Green Arrow, and their final scene was so cute and funny at the same time as the TV Screens crashed in the background. The deathtrap scene was so geeky labeling all those hero and villain teams in the background: Tornado Twins, Trenchcoat Brigade, Inferior 5, Metal Men, Female Furies (hah! "Duel of the Double Crossers!"), Challengers of the Unknown, Fearsome Five, Injustice...etc. The montage scene when the world and space are under Music Meister's spell got me laughing so hard. Upside down Antarctica? Come to think of it, when Batman delivers that knockout blow to the Meister, I broke out laughing, even that art was over the top. The autotuning was funny and unexpected (yeah I listen to an artist who uses it).

That said, dunno what can possibly top it but can't wait to see what's in store for season 2. A little peeved there's no announcement for the final two episodes of the season, they better be airing the next two weeks unless CN wants to stall for season two airing mid-November.

7:56pm: Heroes 506 Tabula Rasa Review
Overall Rating: A really good episode but not without its gripes.

HIRO NAKAMURA

I enjoyed how he mentored Emma about her ability. Seems like the first time they related his terminal illness to a brain tumor.

PETER PETRELLI

Although Peter had some too stupid to live moments, I think it implies he is getting back in touch with his empathy. After absorbing Hiro's Space Time Manipulation power, Peter also started to exhibit Hiro's goofy naivete. It was hilarious watching Peter's exaggerated expressions to things: teleporting into the bathroom and getting healed.

NOAH BENNET

I think Mr. Bennet has re-discovered his niche again. He watches over specials and knows how to teach them to use their abilities. New Company, here we come.

I loved seeing the file on Greer. Company stories always entertain me no matter what.

SYLAR

So Samuel will try to mold Sylar into his enforcer. Seems like a big mistake doesn't it? I did like the sequences in the House of Mirrors. It was a nice touch to cycle through the murders he committed throughout the series. And the shot of Charlie was an interesting complement to the ending. But I'm going to keep saying it, is he going to get killed off for good this season? I think so. And with him goes the last traces of Nathan.

EMMA

So…the Carnival is interested in Emma, too? Can't think of anyone else. I guess if she carried a small instrument around with her, she could use it as a weapon.

CARNIES

Teddy's power was neat, like some dimensional phasing hocus pocus mumbo jumbo. The FX was cool but I wish Samuel mentioned what it was. If you think about it, could be anything, illusion casting, phasing, teleporting, molecular manipulation…

Damian was freaky. His power reminded me of Restore Points on your computer. Doesn't give a fresh start but jogs you clean of your current predicament.

JEREMY GREER

Whoa. Interesting that Healing Touch can lead to Life and Death Manipulation (like how Mind Reading led to Telepathy). So Linderman never got that far?

GRIPES

Samuel mentions how he "heard stories about Sylar for years." C'mon, it's been 2 years. It's bad enough the staff seem to be disregarding the timeline after going to so much trouble of making it canon. He was only commenting about the magnitude of stories he heard. Get it straight.

Well, they clearly stated how Claire's blood wouldn't work but couldn't Peter have just teleported with Jeremy to NY after explaining the situation. Even if they still didn't trust him, Peter could have just taken it after teleporting to Hiro's room. It was just a bad decision to squeeze out as much ratings and retcons out of Hiro's sub-plot.

Captain Lubbock. In his second appearance, they killed Winston Zeddmore…NO!!!!

8:12pm: DCAU Resource: The Zeta Project - Theories and News
Just began formal work on adding TZP content to the Timmverse section of the site. In total, 24 villain profiles have been added or updated and the Episode Guide was updated with both seasons.

Aside from that, after finishing watching the series, I'm left with a few questions and theories that I'd like to throw out there. First of all, both seasons were great, but season two was plain excellent.

1) The Zeta Project Team

It has been stated the main team was composed of six people: Dr. Selig, Dr. Boyle, Dr. Arroyo, Dr. Myrell, and Dr. Edmund. Wondered if there were any thoughts on who the sixth was and what specialty. So far the designs, hyper environment survival, and holographic emitter were explored. Perhaps the sixth was a weapons expert and if I remember the file correctly, another man. Also considering how some of them were morally gray, wonder what this one became.

2) Dr. Selig

So, Dr. Selig had a plan for Zeta? I'm guessing he was aware of Brother's Day as Brother's Day was aware of him. I'd wager he wanted Zeta to infiltrate the organization and defeat it, without obvious tactics, hence the conscience chip. Otherwise, I don't know, some continuance of the Pinocchio and Gepetto dynamic.

3) The Advanced Synthoids

That was messed up and creepy to an extent. But it is sort of ironic. I remember how it was stated the Brother's Day agents infiltrated all levels of security and with these new synthoids, the government would accomplish the same.

4) Agent Bennett

He overheard Selig and Zeta's conversation...so does he still view Zeta as a threat? I can't believe that an agent as good as Bennett was stuck on this single minded pursuit of an IU without questioning the involvement of the Powers That Be above him such as Colonel Lemak. Considering similarity in name to HRG, I figured he would eventually betray the NSA and go rogue like HRG did on "Five Years Gone" in Heroes.

5) Agent Lee

I thought it was disappointing that Lee only appeared twice in season two but it appears that she got to lead her own unit after resigning from Bennett's. For that matter, I would have liked to see Zeta encounter other NSA units and their reaction to his plight.

6) Brother's Day

Considering the Beyond timeline, I love Brother's Day. A much funner bunch of terrorists than Kobra. And their goals run opposite of the series' protagonist. It seems like Titus Sweete was only the beginning and Brother's Day was poised to be the Big Bad of the series. Kinda like with the introduction of the Others on Lost with Ethan Rom, I think Sweete was the tip of the iceberg and there are much worse agents in Brother's Day. I also would like to see the point about how many are secretly in many influential positions explored more.

7) Ro Rowan

Her search hit a high point with Casey being found and his dedication to help her find their parents. I never thought about it much, but I expected more storylines on her parents, if they're even alive. They have to be. To just announce they died would be a cheat. Maybe, they were forced to give their children up because they are operatives of Brother's Day? It'd be a nice compromise.

8) Bucky

Not my favorite but he grew on me in season two. Interesting that he was finally found out and forced to go underground. And he eliminated Zeta's vulnerability to the controller at last!

9) Crossovers

I know it's meant to be a thriller genre but I'd like to see Zeta team up again with Batman again. I mean, the scope of TZP fleshed out the Beyond era so well and introduced so many new cities and locales that Batman Beyond never had time for. And heck, I'd like to see a crossover episode where Zeta meets the JLU and is given temporary asylum at least. I mean, he's been everywhere in the USA but Metropolis, it seems. And for that matter, a Static appearance since Dakota City was first mentioned on Batman Beyond "Zeta" at the end. But going back to the JLU, I'd think they have the clout to act as a liaison and help Zeta clear his name with Batman vouching for him.

7:16pm: Batman: When OMAC Attacks! Review
Another set of Jack Kirby characters gets animated (OMAC, GPA, and Marshal Kafka). Neat.

Very interesting episode. Feels like a lot of foreshadowing.

MOMENTS THAT CAUGHT MY FANCY

Cameos: Not much except for the Controllers and the Warlords of Okaara (who previously cameo'ed as victims of Sinestro in "The Eyes of Despero!").

What the Hay: The Batmobile can morph into a space shuttle? Meh, why not? Look at what it's morphed into so far. Alien Nullifier Beam? :D

Meh: Hawk and Dove. Thank you, James Tucker, for boiling down a JLU episode into a 1 minute teaser scene.

Gripe: Could have explained Shrapnel's Reactive Power Absorbing ability a little better. I didn't catch on until the last second as OMAC tripped him into submission.

Best line: "Still the paragon of subtlety, I see" - Kafka (to OMAC)

Neato: Equinox changes the Batarang into a bat.

LOL: The tree branch falls on Batman as he tries to tackle Equinox.

Was this a Curse Word 30 years ago? - "Ah, Nertz." (OMAC)

That's Deep..Is this a Children's Show? - Equinox comparing him/itself to Batman. How the heck can Batman fight Equinox, who now appears to be powered by magical beings? More magic? We know Dr. Fate and Etrigan/Jason Blood were introduced on the show already. Maybe on of them will appear again. Maybe Fate since Etrigan and Blood have gotten spotlight episodes already. And how ironic that be, Dr. Fate fighting Equinox voiced by Oded Fehr?

1:02pm: Heroes 405 Hysterical Blindness Review
Overall Rating: An even better episode that last week but with a few more gripes.

THE CARNIVAL

I loved the breakfast scene. We got a bunch of new, unnamed characters but if you've been reading the graphic novels, watching the webisodes, and playing iStory, they may be cameos of characters you already know.

It only came to me know. But in a recent novel, when Samuel busted Edgar and Lydia for stealing the fortune teller's crystal ball 14 years ago, he mentioned how upset Joseph would be if he found out and that scared them. Then add that with how Samuel is searching for an empath. It's a little ironic because he wants someone with the personality of Sylar but the empathic absorption power of Peter.

At the end when Samuel leads Sylar to the Carnival, it was such a surreal dream state. I thought I had Hysterical Blindness for awhile there! I wonder what's going to happen though. Will Samuel teach him empathy like Arthur did or will IA and the Hunger rise up, inevitably?

SYLAR

Very cool way to go. So it seems the body of Sylar has aphasia and isn't Nathan nor Sylar. Just a blank slate with pieces of memories and a boat load of super powers. And he got busted by Ernie Hudson's character, Captain Lubbock. So cool. When Sylar TK'ed him into the glass, I was like, "Man, the just messed with Winston Zeddmore!" Ghostbusters 3 better be flippin' great.

EMMA

Love this character's progression. We know she's Dr. Coolidge's daughter, there was some accident involving her 6 years ago, she connects with Peter, and her power can be used offensively!

PETER

Just loved the scene between Peter and Angela. Doesn't it sum up their relationship in a nutshell? She's more concerned with Nathan but why, because he's more needy and Peter can take care of himself or she's worried about her latest scheme collapsing?

Also nice little shot of the DNA Symbol. Peter's spare push pins are shaped like it when Angela looks at the board of newspaper clippings. They really need to start talking about that again and not let it suffer the fate of the Numbers on Lost.

CLAIRE

Thank you writers for just plain revealing the three mysteries in Claire's arc. It's a whole lot better than jerking us around for two months. That said, the kiss scene was "meh." So Gretchen isn't a carnie, just a low level stalker. Like that's any better. I much would have preferred Zach from season one to return. He was likeable.

GRIPES

So Samuel had the foresight to plant Becky Taylor into a sorority at Arlington University because he knew Claire was going to end up there? That was a hard pill swallow. However, it's not totally pulled out of their butts. Two weeks ago, a graphic novel established that Lydia's original power was Precognition but when she was playing with the Fortune Teller's prop crystal ball, her manifestation got messed up and now that's how her power works as tattoos. However, during the manifestation, the event she sees is infant Claire in the Kermit fire when HRG and Claude tried to bag Meredith Gordon. So one would think that they knew about Claire's life and Becky was planted just as how Samuel makes the analogy about planting seeds with the next candidates to join the Carnival. So it makes sense but look at how many lines this is!

SPECULATION

So based on the clips they showed, looks like HRG is brought in one Hiro's plight. HRG remembers an old bag and tag from the Company days of a child who had the Healing Touch power and goes to get him. However, looks like paranoia kicked in before puberty. Peter takes Hiro's power and teleports in. Gets shot maybe. The boy, Jeremy (saw it on the file that appears for a second) heals him then either a) Peter teleports him to Hiro or b) Peter takes his power and returns to Hiro with HRG's help. But one thing remains, will they return too late? Does the staff have the balls to kill off a main cast member? I'd wager No on both questions.

12:25pm: DCAU Resource: Teen Titans and Non-Spoilery News
TEEN TITANS

Last night at 11 pm, I completed and made live, a section for the Teen Titans series. The villains section seemed to hold me the longest since it was the largest topic and had the most files to make, somewhere around 80. The last two days, I was working on them non-stop and trying to get in the zone. But finally it's finished. And it was a feeling of elation and pride that it was completed. Aside from The Zeta Project and Static Shock, I can finally say the site is 'caught up' to the present selection of series.

http://www.dcauresource.com/teentitansindex.php

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

I'm really glad to have finished early this month, because...as a lead in to the next subject of discussion, Batman: The Brave and The Bold is returning to television in America, woot!

Starting next week on Friday, October 16, at 7:30 pm (4:30 pm in my nick of the woods), episode 23, "When OMAC Attacks!" airs on CN and on October 23, the highly touted "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" airs. Then the next day, the soundtrack for the Music Meister episode goes on sale on Amazon or as an iTunes download for $7.98 and $6.99, respectively. I'm so happy to sort of get Season One over with, it seems like it's been hanging around too long like that cousin that gets real annoying after awhile which is why you only see them at family functions.

Anyway, logic, precedent, and number counting predicts season one to end in November and season two to start as well. Based on was talked about at Comic Con, season two will be even more great than the previous one. And around that time, Animation Insider and I will have the James Tucker interview completed. All around good news!

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS

Bruce Timm dropped by on TZ and revealed some guest stars in the movie and mentioned how the main CS villains aren't mirror opposites of the JLA bunch, i e Superwoman ain't an Amazon, Owlman ain't Bruce Wayne, etc. I love it when that man posts.

A great idea for a special feature popped up on TZ last week. Wouldn't it be great if the original "World's Collide" script were included as a PDF file for fans to compare with the movie as you watch it? Heck yeah's. So I did some digging, asked Dwayne McDuffie how to get it done. He said try WHV or the producers. So I looked for WHV's website, now called WBshop.com and filled some blanks and got a response two days a later. A few members shared that there suggestions went through, too. I know the implications are if this happens, what's the chances of it every being made. Well, as far as how Bruce Timm and Dwayne McDuffie worded themselves on the preview, it's this movie or nothing. At least with the PDF file, we sort of get both in a way.

So the more the merrier! If you got 5 minutes to spare, follow these instructions:

1) Go to http://www.wbshop.com

2) Scroll down and look for 'Customer Service" and click on 'Contact Us'

3) Fill in the form blanks: Email Address, Name (I put just my First Name), Select 'Other Inquiries' in the Drop Down Selection, and input a message.

I typed in:

"To Whom it May Concern,

I was interested in making a suggestion for the upcoming 2010 DVD release of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Since it is based on the script "World's Collide" written by Dwayne McDuffie, as a fan, I would be interested if the original script were included as a special feature as a PDF file to compare to the feature film side by side to see the changes made up close.

Thank you for your time."

4) I got an email response from them:

"Thank you for your interest in WBshop.com. I have forwarded your suggestion to our development team hopefully this will be an option when the movie is released."

10:14am: Heroes 404 Acceptance Review
I liked this episode because it gave some breathing room and reduced the character arcs to slower, one on one dialogues. However, I think that since the US is an ADD nation, a lot of people will hate this episode.

I thought the end with the Carnival was sudden and forced in for the sake of the season arc.

I was surprised they worked in the same of an ability, Psychometrics (though I call it Clairsistence). Feels like they haven't done it in awhile.

The Compass That Changed The World?

The ending itself was not a surprise. The staff isn't going to wait and anger fans by making Sylar the last villain standing at the end of season, they're doing it from the start. On the flip side, this could be an amnesiac Sylar or still thinks he's Nathan. I say the latter.

3:42pm: DCAU Resource: Public Enemies and Updates
PUBLIC ENEMIES

After putting the last minute edits together, I released the section on the website for Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.

http://www.dcauresource.com/publicenemiesindex.php

And in association with Animation Insider, my review for the movie is up, as well. Let's say, I'm starting to wonder if they give a hells bells about special features anymore.

http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2197

Favorite fight: Batman and Superman vs. Metallo
Weirdest Scene: Goes without saying but The Kiss
Favorite Special Feature: Crisis on Two Earths Preview. Hot diggity, come on March 2010, come already!
Favorite line: "What the hell is a good super villain mean?"

Hopefully, Chris got his DVD and watched it. I just realized he's sort of like the first prize winner of a contest sponsored by DCAU Resource. ;)

PROJECTS

Also, I'm nearly complete with the Teen Titans section. I'm resuming work on the last sub section left to do, Villains. Cross my fingers but I plan to be done by week's end.

After that, I'm going to watch free streaming episodes of The Zeta Project season 2. The bios will have no images but I'd rather get the written work out of the way until WHV gets their shizzer together on releasing it in some format. After that, Static Shock. I own the only volume release and I've taped all the cross over episodes so I have like 40 or so episodes to watch, heh heh.

TUCKER INTERVIEW

Success! My cohort and I finished the first round the interview and prepping for the second round/follow ups. It looks great so far. We're trying hard to make it not seem like an average or past Tucker interview you've see. After the first round, we got the drift he's a detail-oriented type of guy, which I can respect since I'm the same way.

Round one will mostly be questions about his background and they turned out to be a fascinating read, not just fluff. I'm glad it didn't become the latter.

Everyone involved are hoping to get this done soon because we got a nugget of a hint that an announcement about the USA run of new episodes is coming up soon.

8:29pm: Heroes 403 "Ink" Review
Rating: Better than last week.

Since I spend time on online content, this episode was tight. First there was a webisode about Lydia that ends with Samuel returning in the same suit from this episode. Then there's the iStory which takes place within the timespan of the webisode. On the Carnival website, there's a game to play that is tied into the iStory where you get a password to get a new ending possibility. Can't wait to see what the graphic novel will be about.

The Carnival
-Seems like the implications are that Joseph Sullivan was an empath and could absorb powers just like Peter Petrelli. It's fittingly poetic and ironic. One set lost a brother with empathic absorption and the other set lost a brother without empathic absorption.
-Samuel's ink suck up thing is a fascinating extension of terrakinesis.
-Interesting to learn that the Sullivan's were servants who dotted on their two sons.

Emma
-A cool power and way to introduce a new character. I'm crossing my fingers she won't die in two episodes like most new characters. </sarcasm>
-Definitely think she's going to be Peter's new girlfriend in the days to come. Wonder what'd happen if Peter absorbs her sound visualization power. Can't be a super medic, anymore. But more importantly, the two are meant for each other. Both are disengaged and isolate themselves.

HRG
-Best line, "I'm retired but I'm always finding new reasons to go back to work."

Matt Parkman and Sylar
-Whoa. Sylar did figure out how to use Parkman's power against him. It was a rather gruesome homage to when Parkman found Molly in Volume One.
-Sylar's analysis of Parkman seems right one: desperate to be loved.

Peter Petrelli
-Interesting he denied having lost a brother when we all know the truth. I like how he summed up his decision to be a medic, he got tired of watching them die. Wonder if he got Samuel's power when they shook hands.
-Nice shocker at the end with the huge sinkhole and the compass showing up on his arm.

8:35pm: Heroes 401/402 "Orientation" and "Jump, Push, Fall" Reviews
Overall Rating: 3/5, More of a subdued start than season 3 but I've been looking forward to a real clean slate since season 2. In my honest opinion, season one to three was one long arc and season four is the start of a new one to me.

The Sullivan Brothers Carnival

* The compass was a fascinating plot device. It looks like only specials can activate it and it leads them to the Carnival/Samuel who has the ink tattoo of a compass on his wrist.
* I'd speculate that Danko and his team murdered Joseph Sullivan. When Edgar was trying to back out of his mission, Samuel implied the non-powered humans crossed the line and forced their hand. But grafting/swallowing a key? Hmm.
* At first it seemed like Samuel had Terrakinesis but the magic ink thing confused me despite how awesome it was when it attacked Edgar.

Yamagato

* Kimiko Nakamura was hilarious in the beginning, yelling at Hiro and Ando just enough to make it comedic and not annoying and bi*chy.
* Hiro is dying. Based on commentary from the DVD, it's because his mind was wired to teleport himself so after teleporting multiple people, the strain started wearing on him. I don't think the show has the balls to kill Hiro. Someone will heal him.

Peter Petrelli

* I like that he's trying to save people by himself for once. And he's keeping track of his exploits, interesting.
* But again, I got confused by the limitations of his power. Before it was he loses what he has when he touches another. So it seems like he lost everything he took from Sylar, for enhanced speed? That's ridiculous. But then again, it looked like he absorbed Edgar's power before grabbing him, going back to his Volume 1/2 status where his power was empathic.

Claire Bennet

* Not annoying and not in Costa Verde. So far so good.
* The daydream about the Building 26 agents made me laugh.

Noah Bennet

* I couldn't help but laugh when Bennet ruined his dinner and had to eat cereal. Some of has have been there.

Tracy Strauss

* Blah. I wish she stayed did and the staff moved on and introduced the third sister, Barbara, who is most likely evil.

Matt Parkman

* Blah. I didn't feel his story. Probably won't unless Sylar figures out how to jack his body and do things.

Secondary characters

* Hesam, Peter's partner, is so good. I think they play well together on-screen.
* I was surprised that Danko got offed so quickly.
* I was glad to see the Haitian again. It's been too long.
* I say Gretchen Berg so killed Annie. I don't think she would have known about trajectory before unless Claire told her and I forgot. But during Guitar Hero, it seemed implied she had a power. I think she has Mind Control and made Annie commit suicide.

Tertiary characters

* Federal Bank stooge survived Edgar's knives...yeah!

Commercials

* As a eater of extra online content, I was glad to see there will be webisodes. I did some looking and it looks like Lydia will get three webisodes and Park said Edgar will too. It was confirmed there will be 10 total webisodes and involves three onscreen characters. The third will probably be Samuel since the extra contact will be Carnival based:

Quote:
Beginning on September 28 and continuing for 10 consecutive weeks, an original "HEROES" story will unfold on the multiple platforms of NBC.com and Sprint. Each installment in the 10-week run will be launched by a 30-second on-air scene, tied directly to a "HEROES" storyline, which will direct fans to online, mobile and interactive gaming sites. All of the creative content will run parallel to the on-air "HEROES" narrative as well as will allow fans to discover more about the characters through their interaction with the online games, stories, clues and mobile content.

The 10-week NBC.com/Sprint event will revolve around a new element from the fourth season of "HEROES". Three members of the cast will appear on-air in the series as well as in the duration of this integrated storytelling.

NBC.com and Sprint will offer the following features to enhance the multi-platform experience:
o
o Graphic novels for mobile devices
o Interactive SMS synched to broadcast
o Interactive storylines from which Sprint users will receive clues to unlock a mystery
o A $25,000 sweepstakes which links the interactive story
o A "HEROES" survival game
o One-minute scenes airing online directly tied to the on-air
o Carnival storyline micro-site
o Carnival-themed online games

3:17pm: Teen Titans
So as my mad ambition to add more sections that you can shake a stick at but with that same obsessive attention to detail to DCAU Resource, I've recently started watching Teen Titans. So far I just have the last six episodes (Lightspeed up to Things Change) of the last season to watch.

I'll probably try and makes some reviews later on but for some episodes I was blown away by the number of references. Were there staff with a list of movies and tv shows they wanted to put on an animated series? It was really cool to me anyway. And some of the uber obscure villains like Mad Mad or Ding Dong Daddy from the original 60's comics run was a total surprise.

As for my verdict so far, I like the series a heck of a lot more now than when it was airing. At the time, I watched only 2 or 3 episodes and couldn't stand it. Now, something changed. I guess, the structure of the show makes more sense to me now and I can enjoy it.

As for the movie, which I enjoyed to since among many things, it hinted at how Robin and Starfire met and went into her language assimilating abilities. I'm guessing the movie takes place between season 4 and 5. In the first couple of episodes, I noticed that Robin tends to openly worry more about Starfire like in "Snowblind" and even breaks his routing in battle to save her ("Kole").

The Lost Episode, was alright, but from what I gathered was from some promotional event. I was glad to see that the animation held its own and this one off villain returned in season five, well, with everyone else.

And of course, I anticipate what the finale will entail. Considering how an adult group of supervillains are trying to wipe out the second and third (Timmy, Melvin, and Teether) generation of superheroes, it seems to me there's a theme about growing up. And the Titans are traveling the world, something we all do in our lives in order to grow and move on. I think even one of Mento's lines gave it away, something like, "It's time to grow up, the world is depending on you," when talking to Beast Boy. Still wondering if Slade is going to reappear anytime soon.

7:35pm: Generic Lost Final Season News
After reading up on stuff from Comic Con, I was glad to see spoiler lite activity. I sort of recycled it into unharmful stuff to discuss. Some of the things that Cuse and Lindelof made me go hmm...

1) Remember when Jacob said "They're coming," at the end of the season. It looks like the folk from the 70's aren't the only ones returning but in what capacity is yet to known. I say ghosts or entrapped souls, however you perceive them on the show.

2) One of my favorite characters has been upgraded to main cast.

YES!! This person is awesome on this show.

3) Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, the head writers of the show, said at SDCC that season 6 will have a storytelling device different from all the other seasons. Gone are the days of flashbacks/flashforwards/time travel.

Huh?!

4) Damon and Carlton have said that season one will be parallel to season six similar to how season two was like season five.

Okay, I loved season one (just not the finale), loved season two, loved season five (just not the special effects for the Jughead bomb when Juliet hit it) so that posits season six will rock which I had a feeling would since it's the last.

5) Jacob's enemy's name is not Esau, but we are on the right track.

Dang. Guess I'll have to consult google some more.

6) The title of the first episode of season six has been revealed.

I already came up with two theories about it that was fun to think of but will be completely wrong based on my past experience.

3:19pm: DCAUR: The Batman
After about a month, I've finished and added a section on DCAUResource.com for The Batman.

http://www.dcauresource.com/thebatmanindex.com

I thought I might as well jot down my thoughts on the series, too. As someone who only started watching the series this year, I was for the most part impressed by it. The good outweighed the bad. Ultimately it was combination of schedule and lack of interest that led to not watch the series in the first place but the past is the past. The Batman was the cools.

SEASON ONE

Rating: Meh. I wasn't yet hooked on the show after watching the first season.

Point of Interest #1: It was an interesting choice to start the show three years into Bruce Wayne's career as Batman. It made sense that he was finishing off the crime syndicates just as the super villain fringe arrived in town.

Point of Interest #2: Created a new character, Ethan Bennett, instead of going with Harvey Dent. And to boot, Bennett does get cured and becomes Chief in the future.

Point of Interest #3: Adapting a character from Frank Miller's Dark Knight line, Yindel, with Detective Ellen Yin from Metropolis. All the Metropolis references throughout the series makes me suspect there was a big Superman fan in the staff.

Point of Interest #4: Casting the Penguin as the anti-Bruce Wayne. Makes perfect sense to me. Foreign, grotesque, poor, evil, yet still a student of martial arts. Tying his family to Alfred was another stroke of genius. But the Geisha Twins were kinda weird.

Point of Interest #5: Mr. Freeze. It was a nice reference to have him obsessed with diamonds like in the early comics and to use a simple origin than try to even attempt to compete with Bruce Timm's version. Like Batman Beyond, it made sense that he lives for awhile and loses parts of his body over the ages.

Point of Interest #6: Catwoman. She always got away and was never unmasked by Batman. Odd to me for some reason.

SEASON TWO

Rating: Hooked to show by end of the season. I'm not kidding but I was so bored by "Swamped" that I fell asleep halfway and this was during mid day.

Point of Interest #1: "Meltdown." I liked the intro of Professor Strange as an Arkham senior resident but he's secretly a manipulative bastard that's using villains and Gotham as a big microscope for his own edifice. It was also funny that Dr. Mark Desmond was a red herring and we never saw Blockbuster on the show.

Point of Interest #2: "Strange Minds." This was the episode that got me to love the series. The one scene where Batman interacts with Jack Napier was priceless. "Try Current Schemes."

Point of Interest #3:"The Laughing Bat." A ridiculous role reversal yet entertaining notion. The Joker smiles in this episode were extra hella creepy to me. When the Batman told the joke at the end to make the Joker revert to his old self was so heart warming in a messed up sort of way.

Point of Interest #4: "Night and the City." Commissioner Gordon pwned Chief Rojas. Finally. It also took me awhile to realize that Gordon appeared in the flashback on "Traction." Only after a couple viewings of Batman Begins did it sink in. Go figure.

THE BATMAN VS DRACULA

Pretty damn good. I was even impressed with the use of Dracula's bride, Countess Karnstein, who in literature, predated Dracula. If I remember correctly, there was some controversy with Bram Stoker that he ripped off the Karnstein stories when he wrote his book. Since Batman with Michael Keaton and Jack was the first Batman movie I saw as a child, it was neat to see Vicky Vale used, but man, she disappeared after the movie.

SEASON THREE

Rating: Good. Even though Batgirl isn't my most favorite DC character, it was a strong season. I think the reason why is because Batgirl doesn't have the same origins as Batman and Robin, her parents divorced. And because of the family-oriented nature of these series, the divorce angle is never used or mentioned. It's simply just the Commissioner and Barb living in a house.

Point of Interest #1: "RPM" Gearhead? Great oogly moogly, that was a pretty obscure villain. However, it wouldn't matter after The Brave and The Bold started airing. But it was a decent way to upgrade the Batmobile.

Point of Interest #2: "Brawn" The Joker and some Venom. Perfect story.

Point of Interest #3: "The Laughing Cats" Hilarious. It was cool when they revealed Bud n Lou, the Laughing Hyenas. I also liked how Catwoman tried to seduce Batgirl to her side.

Point of Interest #4: D.A.V.E. and Strange. A really great season finale. I had a feeling that Giant Penny would come in handy. It always does. On JL, they used to squash a couple Thanagarians.

SEASON FOUR

Rating: The best season in my opinion.

Point of Interest #1: "A Matter of Family" Loved it. In some ways, I like it better than "Robin's Reckoning" but both interpretations work on different levels. I liked that it briefly got darker in this episode when Batman is kicking everyone's asses in the Ice Pick Club. It lends to how Batman is trying to save Grayson from being consumed by revenge when he, himself, is still fueled by that rage.

Point of Interest #2: "Team Penguin" Killer Moth was a friggin' hoot. After this series, Jeff Bennett, the voice actor, really grew on me. I hope he continues to be used on Brave and the Bold.

Point of Interest #3: "Clayfaces" Awesome episode. Didn't expect to see the Karlo incarnation of Clayface and it was an interesting way of passing down the mantle since after this episode, only Karlo is seen as Clayface. Nice twist at the end after the Joker shoves him.

Point of Interest #4: "The Breakout" Black Mask was such a great villain. It was so Silver Age to give his doomsday weapon such a long name. It was cool when Batman owned those guards by just chilling in the cage and they got shocked by his utility belt. Also very comedic when Black Mask keeps replacing his Number 1.

Point of Interest #5: "Strange New World" Very cool and cerebral episode. Reveals a lot about Batman by using an old Strange story from the comics. I think he easily believed in zombies after fighting Dracula and a butt load of vampires.

Point of Interest #6: "Artifacts" What's not to say. Probably one my most favorites. From Oracle and Nightwing, to the Giant Dinosaur cameo, the happy ending for Yin and Bennett mention, the cops' various wrong theories who was who back in the day, the Frank Miller homages, and the legacy preserved at the end. Even though it was a couple seconds, I got chills just seeing that angled shot of an old, scarred Bruce Wayne in the Batmobile tank. But it looked like James Gordon didn't age a day in 2027. That's my only gripe.

Point of Interest #7: "Seconds" Another favorite of mine. Francis Gray was just trying to save his family and goes to jail for decades, snaps, manifests super powers, and kills everyone in Gotham, even the Bat Family then rewrites history. Fantastic execution of story.

Point of Interest #8: "Two of a Kind" Interesting reinterpretation of the Joker and Harley Quinn's relationship by Dini. Quinn has a greater role in the relationship and the Joker seems to really be fond of her, the bit where he steals the diamond for her was sort of cute in a sick, romantic way.

Point of Interest #9: The Joining two parter. Neat intro of Martian Manhunter and Lucius Fox. I liked how Wayne quickly figured out how to block out Manhunter from his head. It's possible with his training and keeps him the focal point of the series. The use of robots as aliens was too "Dark Heart" for me but I like the concept better than really sci-fi looking monsters. It detracts from the Batman mythos too much and more suited for Justice League or Green Lantern.

SEASON FIVE

Rating: Good. Great way to end the series on a happy note.

Point of Interest #1: I liked how they made Superman so distant and he was the last to join the League rather than Batman.

Point of Interest #2: Alfred walking in on superheroes throughout the season was priceless.

Point of Interest #3: I loved the Green Arrow origin story and how they made him a social activist rather than a cut out of Bruce Wayne.

Point of Interest #4: "White Heat" Another entertaining romance story. It was really cool that they made Firefly into the Dr. Phosphorus villain from the comics.

Point of Interest #5: Probably my only gripe but they made this version of the Flash too flippin ambiguous! He had all aspects of Barry Allen, Wally West, and Bart. It was so annoying but I had a feeling it was Allen because the other heroes seemed to be Silver Age like with Hal Jordan. Read some Alan Burnett interview that confirmed it was Allen.

Point of Interest #6: Penguin + Green Power Ring=Comic gold.

Point of Interest #7: "The Metal Face of Comedy" Liked the origins of Nightwing, Bud n Lou continue to be awesome, and the scene where both Joker's cross their fingers was so funny. You knew it would happen yet its still funny to see it unveil.

Point of Interest #8: "The End of The Batman" Interesting adaption of Prometheus and Owlman into the show. I liked how the Joker's ego saves the day.

Point of Interest #9: "What Goes Up..." Loved the use of the classic Shadow Thief and not some disembodied corporealized manifestation of a Hawkgirl stalker's dark side. I also laughed at the running joke about Black Mask's face. In the comics it got burned onto his skin so it became his face.

Point of Interest #10: "Lost Heroes" I was amazed they went with the Jack Nimball Toyman in the beginning and then a cameo of the Arrow Plane. It was a great move to keep a Batman villain in the mix as the crux of the greater villain's return as well as keeping Batgirl and Robin involved in the story, but my gripe was Gordon and Alfred were MIA.

7:25pm: DCAU Resource: August 5, 2009
I've been happily at work on adding new sections to the website. This week, two babies were officially added: Green Lantern: First Flight and Green Loontern.

http://www.dcauresource.com/greenloonternindex.php
http://www.dcauresource.com/greenlanternindex.php

As I suspected, ID'ing Green Lanterns on both animations was a challenge. First Flight was intriguing because a couple of modern Lanterns appeared like Jeryll and Princess Iolande.

Green Loontern was still priceless to me. To Dodgers playing with the microbe, the high school rivalry bit, and the exploding walnut still had me reeling.

First Flight was the best DCU movie to me. Here's my review. Just scroll down to the bottom.

http://www.dcauresource.com/greenlanternepisode/greenlanternmovie.php

Although it was disappointing that there was no commentary, all the bits with Geoff Johns was good enough and they whored Blackest Night, which I didn't mind one bit. That whole arc has made people interesting in Green Lantern again.

After the onslaught of Comic Con, we know more about Batman: The Brave and the Bold. From what I've gleaned. We'll have some impressive episodes to come. The back half of season one wasn't as good as the first 13, but I have a feeling that season two will ring the bell and push what we expect from the series.

An unfortunate byproduct of Comic Con, but rumors have spread.

-Dwayne McDuffie wrote two scripts for DCU movies but denies that once of them is a Crisis one. Rumors from alleged Comic Con pamphlets state he did.

-One sequel to a DCU movie is in development. FACT: Courtesy of Bruce Timm

-Voice Actress April Winchell started voice work recently on an animated Batman movie.

It's too bad that the crew has become super secretive about their future projects but that's the nature of the business.

My tentative projects are:

August: The Batman, Teen Titans, The Zeta Project Season One
September: Plastic Man pilot, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

6:40pm: Happy Birthday, DCAU Resource
Today is the third year anniversary of when I took over the website and re-branded it as the DCAU Resource. Suffice to say, it feels like its been much longer but it's cooler this way because I still get surprised at the amount of content I've been able to add to site in a short while. Eat your heart out, Brainiac, if you had one!

And my love for the site hasn't diminished. Even during those long nights in front of a computer screen toiling away at code, the reason it still makes me happy is my goal was to make a site about the DCAU that I'd want first and foremost. If other people toss me a compliment about it every so often, great! But my own intrinsic satisfaction is the end goal. But it is cool that I've gotten the honor and pleasure of pre-reviewing related items, the pilot episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, being probably the pinnacle of that.

And with six active projects going on. The site's got more growing to go. Expect Green Lantern: First Flight, Green Loontern, Plastic Man Pilot, The Batman, Public Enemies, and maybe even more for the Timmverse to come this year. And with the DCU Shorts announced, Teen Titans, and Krypto to go, there's always work to do.

So far, I'm midway into season two of The Batman. So far, it seems like the first two seasons were filled with growing pains but I did like the Firefly and Riddler first episodes. More on my thoughts when the time is right.

As for the DCU Shorts, in case you were under a rock, WHV announced that starting with the DTV released in the first half of 2010, an animated short will accompany it. The first will be of Jonah Hex, written by Joe R Lansdale (a gosh darn good Hex writer). The shorts will all be in the PG-13 vein. It seems like a good venue for the obscure characters that Mr. Timm would love to animate but may never get the green light for. The Question and the New Gods come to mind.

Well, Long Live Legion!