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In 1992, an animated series focused on the DC comics hero Batman, debuted on television. After 23 years, and countless awards and praises, it’s still celebrated as one of the greatest cartoons to ever grace the small screen. Four years later in 1996, a spinoff of Batman: The Animated Series premiered that followed the adventures of The Last Son of Krypton. Superman: The Animated Series was a worthy follower to its DC animation predecessor as it faithfully depicted the Man of Steel. The DC animation train didn’t stop with these two powerhouses as Batman Beyond, The New Batman Adventures, Static Shock, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited all followed and ushered in a cohesive DC animated universe (DCAU). These shows not only set a precedent for animated superhero cartoons, but all cartoons as they exemplified great television. The person responsible for spearheading and creating these shows is Bruce Timm. He wasn’t the only individual behind these amazing series. People like Paul Dini and Alan Burnett were also very influential in the inception of these shows. However, Timm is viewed as the “head honcho” because of his immense influence on the art, characters, and story of each show; he was the creative backbone of the numerous shows. Not only that, he’s the one of the few who has seemed to stay with the universe up until now. He was a mainstay in the DCAU than his other colleagues.
* Special appreciation to the late GREAT Dwayne McDuffie for his work on Static Shock, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited & Batman Beyond
Now that we’ve recognized an older and very different type of DC media universe, we can focus on a new and modern cinematic world. The DCCU began with
Man of Steel and is growing with the coming
Batman V. Superman and
Suicide Squad in 2016. More films are set to come from now up until 2020 and with all of that on the way, management must be busy. It can be argued that Zack Snyder, director of the upcoming
Batman V. Superman, is the not only the face of this universe but also the supervisor. It hasn’t been stated outright but it’s easy to assume. He’s directed
Man of Steel, Batman V. Superman and he’s also taking the reigns over for
Justice League Parts 1 & 2. With all of that regulation over very important films, you’d think Snyder is chief of the universe. But, is he? As stated before it hasn’t been stated verbally. Marvel has always reiterated that Kevin Feige is the “godfather” of the MCU. He has his hands in everything and he makes sure the Marvel ship steers in the right direction. He’s the guy who’s at every press event for a Marvel film and he’s the one who may or may not have the final say. I think of these universes like a basketball team. The plyers are the directors, writers and producers. The games are the films. And, the coaches are the supervisors or “godfathers” who manage it all. While I appreciate Zack Snyder’s love for these characters and skills as a filmmaker, I have someone else in mind for being the “godfather” of the DCCU; Someone who’s been with DC for years and who knows the universe better than almost anyone.
BRUCE TIMM!
My admiration for Bruce Timm has no bounds. He’s one of the reasons my childhood was so amazing. As I mentioned before, Timm gave us some of the best animated series of all time. My Saturday mornings consisted of Batman: The Animated Series reruns and new episodes of Justice League and Static Shock (I’m telling my age here). Before I really got into comic books, I was into superhero cartoons. The cartoons worked on by Bruce Timm were the facilitator for me to want to open up a comic book and learn more about these wonderful characters. The DCCU is going to mainly focusing on the Justice League. It seems like their actions will influence the entire universe. Who better to watch over everything than the man who’s been working with this team of champions for over 20 years? It’s simple to ascertain why I would want Timm to supervise this flourishing DCCU. His comprehension and knowledge of the characters, their worlds, and ideologies makes him the perfect man for the job. Allow me to delve into a little more detail as to why Bruce Timm is right for this position.
BODY OF WORK
*I’ve selected particular works that Timm has done that I think best illustrate his capability to manage the DCCU. This does not by any means diminish the success of works I have not put any focus on.
*Primarily, I will discuss particular episodes of Timm’s shows that showcase his abilities
Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS) is the Michael Jordan of comic book cartoons; maybe even comic book television as a whole. A show that appears to be only for children by first glance, BTAS was a mature, thematic and dark TV series that explored every inch and facet of Batman and his layered mythology. As a young adolescent, I could barely appreciate and understand the complexity of this animated series. As I grew older, I began to realize the maturity and depth it carried and displayed. An understanding of this character is clearly evident. If you understand the character, you have to comprehend his world and its inhabitants. For example:
Batman: The Animated Series - Almost Got ‘Im: Season 1 Episode 35
This is a classic episode of the show. It depicts a transposition of the generic hero vs villain formula in which Batman’s rogues paint him as the ultimate villain. They all sit at a table playing poker as they tell tales of how they almost defeated the Caped Crusader. The tone of the episode is reminiscent of the gangster films where there’s the cliché scene in shady dive bar where the criminals converse with another over a botched job. This is something that’s completely contradictory of a kids cartoon.
Bruce Timm was radical with this very episode and others. He was challenging was he could do with an animated feature and subverting what was expected. This episode was also a showcase of how well Timm understood Batman’s villains. Each story they told displayed every distinctive characteristic that made them who they are. Timm’s artwork is also uniquely distinctive as it shines in this shadowy episode. He not only understands the heroes, but the villains as well. This is enhanced even more in another classic story.
Batman: The Animated Series - Heart of Ice: Season 1 Episode 14
In my opinion, probably the greatest episode of the series,
Heart of Ice changed the perspective and origin of a classic Batman adversary who was a bit of a joke before said episode. This was achieved by exploring emotional perspectives and character complexity. Recently, a Warner Bros chief of film, Greg Silverman, stated:
“There is intensity and a seriousness of purpose to some of these characters. The filmmakers who are tackling these properties are making great movies about superheroes; they aren't making superhero movies. And when you are trying to make a good movie, you tackle interesting philosophies and character development.”
What I really absorb from this quote is the intensity, philosophies, character development and seriousness mentions. All of these subjects are indicative of the episode
Heart Of Ice, focusing on Mr. Freeze. A villain, an individual who should be met with resentment and animosity, is crafted to be met with sorrow and empathy. Again, Timm makes subverting the stereotype his mission. Mr. Freeze is more tragic figure and broken man than villain. He’s someone who’s lost a loved a one and it’s shaken him to his core. For a man who is seemingly cold and without emotion, he’s very emotive when it comes to his wife Nora. This is an intense and serious piece of character development. Again, Timm displays his knowledge of Batman’s’ world and primarily his rogues. Timm directed this episode and the imagery presented is stunning and haunting. His direction presented an apparently repugnant in a sensitive light.
Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited was the continuation of Justice League. It transformed the small unit of the Justice league and expanded it into a large military type coalition with hundreds of members. In this second series, the pressures of being a hero are enhanced. The measures taken to ensure that the Earth is protected are questioned vehemently. It’s also worth mentioning that our heroes’ limits and dark sides are surveyed. And, maybe most importantly, the heroes are a being pushed towards the line between protectors and oppressors.
Justice League Unlimited – Clash: Season 4, Episode 7
Superman’s attitude changes from the dutiful boy scout in JLU. In the episode
Clash, he becomes somewhat skeptical as Lex Luthor has seemingly, become a kind and thoughtful philanthropist. It’s understandable why Superman would be so disparaging in this situation. But, he lets his distrust cloud his emotions and he causes destruction in such a way that he is viewed as the villain. With so much power, can Superman afford to let his emotions overwhelm him?
Justice League Unlimited – Question Authority: Season 4, Episode 9
In the episode Question Authority, Superman’s power is brought into the spotlight as he realizes his showcase of power instills fear in some. What adds even more weight to this realization is that it comes from a supposed trusted friend, Dr. Emil Hamilton. This is all stems from the threat of Cadmus, an organization who will do whatever it takes to protect the Earth from the JL, if they ever turn on it. Superman is wary to strike with aggression as he realizes that his power is overwhelmingly threatening. But, if Cadmus is crossing a line that threatens the innocent, should Superman cross a line to stop them? What’s the price of protecting the Earth
AT ALL COSTS?
Justice League Unlimited – Epilogue: Season 2 Episode 13
This episode acts as the series finale to the short lived but stellar
Batman Beyond series. That great show was robbed of having a fitting ending so JLU decided to weave its conclusion into one of its great episodes.
Epilogue is a Batman story. It’s about limitations, legends and legacy. Terry McGinnis, Batman of the future, discovers that he’s the biological child of Bruce Wayne due to some hush-hush government genetics by the hands of Amanda Waller. As much as you would think this is a story about secret parentage, it isn’t. It about a man who’s obsessed with a mission and how that obsession drove away those closest to him. It’s about what Batman should and shouldn’t be. Is his temperament programmed? Is the brooding and dark attitude immortal traits? Terry has been Batman for some time in this story and he has seemed to slowly transform into Bruce. But, he discovers that he can distinguish what and who Batman is. He decides he doesn’t want to lose loved ones due to his own obsession with the mission. He won’t make the mistakes that Bruce made. He wants to expel the darkness and still keep the mission as well as those close to him.
Is this something Bruce can do? Maybe not. Limitations are both physical and mental within Bruce. Those limitations limit him from ever moving on from the mission. This is, in my opinion, the most essential dilemma of the Batman character. Can one move on? Nolan touched upon this in his trilogy and h had a different perspective than the writers of this episode, Bruce Timm and Dwayne McDuffie. If this episode is any indication, they believe that Bruce Wayne is a prisoner of his own limitations and fixation.
This episodes' ideologies and philosophies are a prime example of the storytelling and character depiction the DCCU wants to exhibit. The fact that this episode is a Batman story does it make the subject matter beholden only to the Dark Knight. His problems in this episode are parallel to his fellow heroes. They too can fall prey to the mission of protecting this world and having that ruin your life. Especially since the DCCU looks to be putting each hero, so far, under a brooding and dark atmosphere. Timm exercises a vast knowledge of characters and their principles with this episode. This is another prime example of his worthiness and ability to “godfather” the DCCU.
Justice League Unlimited – Panic in the Sky: Season 4, Episode 11
Power is such strong theme in the JLU show. It’s a central theme to the Justice League team. They are beings of immense authority. The powers they possess are for the common good of all mankind but it can be perverted. It can be manipulated. It has weaknesses. In this episode, the League turns themselves in after their laser canon on the Watchtower is compromised. Fear and panic are quickly displayed as the canon attack innocents on Earth. This leads to government intervention. What Timm and company did with this story arc is show how power can be manipulated. The JLA is manipulated by Lex. Cadmus as well. Two factions with great power are warped and used. These matters seem like subjects ripe for the picking within the DCCU as what’s already known about BvS seems to parallel these topics.
“TIMMVERSE”
Bruce Timm began his storied career as an artist. He still is an artist. His art is one of, if not the most, evident attractions of his works. Dubbed the Timmverse, his style is equivalent of art deco and streamlined art of the 1940s and 50s. He set the standard for DCAU art. His artistic contributions created some stylistic and distinct takes on characters and their worlds. He made Batman’s world very noir, dark and suspicious. Superman and Metropolis were retro futuristic, bright and virtuous. As both a writer and artist, he’s responsible for the story arcs and visual depictions of our most beloved DC characters in the animated world.
The DCCU already seems to have certain visual tone and atmosphere that’s on the dark side. Snyder has left the universe somewhat beholden to his gritty style. But, tweaking and playing with visuals could add some flair to the DCCU. What I loved about Timm was that he made Batman so different from Superman. Not just the characters but heir cities. Wonder Woman’s world was 100 percent Greek mythology and her home was as well. Aquaman and Atlantis were majestic and magical. Each hero was like a different style of painting. The contrasts are embraced. This would be a welcome attribute that Timm could bring to the DCCU. It would also add much contrast to Marvel as the characters do inhabit different genres of film; Captain America is very much in a politically charged world while Thor is obviously inhabited a magical one; but when you watch a Marvel movie, you know its Mare. Every film has a certain air about them (I do appreciate Daredevil for being very different). DC could actually embrace the films looking strikingly different. Each hero’s worlds are actually INCREDIBLY different. When they come together or inhabit the others city, it would make the differences that much more meaningful. Timm can bring this to the DCCU.
RESPECT THE TECHNIQUE
Timm is a veteran in the DC universe. This man has been going strong for 20 plus years and he’s still giving us the gift of his talents. His new project: Justice League: God & Monsters has premiered and I think Timm has done it again. In just the two episodes I’ve watched, he’s brought a unique and wonderful change to classic characters. But, he’s still kept the nuances and qualities of his past work sprinkled within. You have to respect a man who’s been in this world for so long. He’s set the standard for a lot of the characters that DC and Warner Bros have. There’s a phrase that says: “I’ve done it all and I’ve seen it all”. This is Bruce Timm and his relationship with DC Comics.
CONCLUSION
Bruce Timm is a pioneer of great storytelling in the DC world. He used a medium meant for children and created mature stories of some beloved heroes. He basically changed the game when it comes to superhero depictions is media, primarily animation. Now it’s time for him to take it a step further and apply his groundbreaking skills to cinema.
Bruce Timm on his work in the DCAU: “…And even going back to the Batman animated series it was something I always kind of pushed. I think that is something people noticed about the series is that it wasn’t just a kid’s show and it occasionally handled some pretty heavy issues. And everything I’ve done since then, Superman, Batman Beyond, Justice League Unlimited… was trying to push the envelope as much as I could…”
LET IT MARINATE!!!