Cartoons today seem like they're all aiming for the silly slapstick tone of an "Adventure Time" or "Ultimate Spider-Man." You don't see too many serious storytelling approaches to animation anymore like "Batman: The Animated Series" or "Justice League." Or when you do, like the recent "Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes" or "Young Justice," the shows rarely survive to see a third season. Heck, some are lucky to even make it through their first! It's for that reason alone why I have high hopes for "Beware the Batman" which premieres this Saturday on Cartoon Network (10 AM). There's absolutely nothing wrong with humor in animation, far from it. However, a sincere, reality structured animation program amidst all of the Acme xeroxes would make for a nice palate cleanser; fruit between cheese cubes if you will. Below, "Beware the Batman" producers Glen Murakami and Mitch Watson do their best to tell you why you should be watching their show alongside me this Saturday.
Said Watson, "To be perfectly frank with you, the action genre of television cartoons right now is sort of on the verge of extinction, so I’m really hoping that if people like Young Justice and people liked Green Lantern, that they’re gonna give this show a chance, because quite honestly, if they don’t go for this kind of show… and you know what? If they don’t like it, they don’t like it, but give the show a chance, because we really set out to make something that was goona appeal to both fans and new people, and to pull back in the Green Lantern and the Young Justice people."
Murakami also acknowledged the fact that cartoon deity Bruce Timm is not involved. "I worked on those shows," he disclosed. He went on to add, "We do have people working on the show who have worked on the shows, so we do have experience working on those types of shows."
There's a bit more from the duo over at ScreenRant so be sure to click the source link below to read all the quotes from Watson and Murakami. And for heaven's sake, tune in this Saturday at 10 AM on Cartoon Network. Don't show up late to the party then wonder why it's being cancelled à la "Green Lantern: The Animated Series".
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"Part of Cartoon Network's DC Nation Block, 'Beware the Batman," is a CGI animated program debuting on July 13th at 10 AM. The series follows the exploits of Batman, Alfred and Katana as they battle evil-doers such as Anarky, Magpie, Ra's al Ghul, Tobias Whale, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad, Humpty Dumpty, King Kraken, Axel Alex, and Ten-Eyed Man. Anarky will be the primary antagonist of the first season. The series producers have stated that Batman is in the early stages of his career in maybe year five or six. Alfred is characterized as a MI6, Sean Connery - James Bond type retired secret agent who once possessed physical skills on par with Batman during his prime but now he's in his 60s. Sam Register serves as executive producer with Glen Murakami and Mitch Watson handling the finer details as producers. Sam Liu, Rick Morales and Curt Geda will direct individual episodes."