Comic Book News: Is Beware The Batman Getting Cancelled?

Is Beware The Batman the next show to be cancelled on Cartoon Network? So far, DC Nation doesn't seem to be doing very well. Last year they cancelled Green Lantern and Young Justice animated series and it sort of looks like Beware The Batman might be heading that way. There was supposed to be a new episode scheduled for this weekend but now the show has been pulled from the line up with Teen Titans Go! instead being aired. Supposedly the show isn't doomed just yet it's just been put on hiatus until January 2014.

After the cancellation of Green Lantern and Young Justice, some fans didn't quite take to the news that Teen Titans Go! and Beware The Batman would be taking over the former shows on air times and have avoided watching both shows. I was actually quite excited for the new shows and gave them both a chance. I absolutely adore Teen Titans Go! that show is just so funny. However, I found Beware The Batman to be really dull and boring. So, if Beware The Batman does end up being cancelled I can't say that I will be sad to see it go.

There's also rumors that DC is working on a new 52 inspired Justice League cartoon series for DC Nation but for now that just seems to be floating rumors. Until more information has been released, I won't take it seriously.

TV Round Up: Beware the Batman

I took some time to catch up on the episodes of Beware the Batman that I had taped. I wanted to get caught up before the 7th episode aired tomorrow. Here is my brief review for episodes #3-6:

Episode #3: "Tests"

Rating: 1 star

This episode wasn't very good. I thought it was very boring. It focused on Batman trying to stop two incompetent lackeys of Anarky as well as trying to stop Anarky before he can carry out his plan to incite chaos by blowing up the monorail. There was also a side story with Tatsu (Katana) that had her unknowingly being tested by Bruce to see if she had what it takes to not only be Bruce's body guard but also Batman's sidekick.

Unfortunately this episode didn't deliver. The story fell flat as well as the villians and Katana's side story was boring. One good thing about this episode, Batman's fighting skills have improved. He was able to hold his own against Anarky without too much difficulty.

Other than the two idiots, the main villain got away. Alfred was in this episode, I didn't like how he continues trying persuade Bruce to give Tatsu the job but I did like that he assisted Batman by driving the Batmobile through a remote to stop those two lackeys.


Episode #4: "Safe"

Rating: 1 star

This was another not so good episode. It was boring. The League of Assassins sent by Lady Shiva (whose voice only appears) were after scientist Jason Burr to obtain his scientific discovery, the Ion Cortex.

The best thing about this episode were the fight scenes because there was no real story other than ninjas were going after the doctor. Katana continues to be a bore and has zero personality and the villains continue to get away. Even though Jason Burr was supposed to be a comic relief, he was so annoying.

With each episode Batman's fighting skills get better but it would be nice if the villains didn't keep getting away. But it looks like they will show up again, mainly Silver Monkey.


Episode #5: "Broken"

Rating: 4 stars

This episode was so much better. It had an intriguing villain and story and also included James and Barbara Gordon.

The story focused on several people being taken and imprisoned in toy soldiers that were rigged with bombs. The people who were taken had a connection to Humphrey Dumpler or Humpty Dumpty. Lieutenant Gordon continues to not want Batman's assistance but he's starting to change his mind at least by the end of the episode.

I wish the Gordons were featured more in this series because this version of Alfred and Tatsu don't really bring anything to the show. Again Tatsu's side story was boring. I wouldn't mind if their screen time was given to the Gordons.

I found this episode to be really interesting and slightly dark and would have been even better without Alfred and Tatsu.


Episode #6: "Toxic"

Rating: 5 stars

This episode was even better than the last. This episode dealt with love and revenge. It focused on a break-in at Simon Stagg's (he appeared in the first episode) corporation that resulted in security guard Rex Mason (who was also dating Simone's daughter Sapphire) being exposed to a chemical that transformed him into a creature (otherwise known as Metamorpho).

The transformation made Rex unstable and had him terrorizing the city. After Batman realized who the creature was he went back to Stagg Industries to investigate. He found out Simon was involved and went about trying to find Rex to see if he could help him. Unfortunately, things didn't work out as planned for helping Rex but at least Batman sent incriminating material to the police to hopefully arrest Stagg. Odds are Rex will appear again.

So far, this has been the best episode. Also, Tatsu was not featured in this episode and Alfred's appearance wasn't too bad either. This episode brought back Doctor Bethany Ravencroft (from the second episode), she sort of pushed her way into a date with Bruce for a charity event however it didn't work out. Bruce did end up meeting her later for dinner but at the end of the episode, it was shown her interest in Bruce was an ulterior motive which will be focused on in the next episode.


Well, I'm looking forward to watching tomorrow's episode, I hope it's as good as episodes #2, 5 and #6 and nothing like the horrible episodes #1, 3 and 4.

Beware the Batman 2nd Episode Review

Episode Title: Secrets

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

I thought the second episode was far better than the first. The show is improving. However, Batman continues to be pathetic when it comes to being out there fighting the criminals. Because in the first few minutes when Batman faced off against Magpie she kicked his butt (which was no surprise). This continued throughout the entire episode until the end when he was finally able to stop her. It's ridiculous how many times Magpie kicked his butt in this episode. It's hard to believe he's supposed to have put Lunkhead in a coma for two months when he can barely hold his own in a fight with Magpie. This is a very disappointing Batman.

Beware the Batman 1st Episode Review

My internet is finally repaired. :)

Rating (so far): 2 stars

Over the weekend Beware the Batman premiered on Cartoon Network. I thought it was rather boring. Did anyone else find some of the voice acting and the animation to be really awful?

It felt like they were trying too hard to make this dark and edgy but it was just boring. The first episode wasn't that great. The story and the villains were boring. It was titled "Hunted" but it should have been called "Beware the Butler". Because this Batman really couldn't do anything. He's a horrible detective and can barely hold his own in a fight. Alfred Pennyworth did more than him.

This brash and unsophisticated version of Alfred is something I will have to get used to. It seems they took inspiration from Batman: Earth One for Alfred's characterization. I also thought Alfred reminded me too much of Lex Luthor.

Something I didn't understand about this series so far is why Bruce/Batman is so incompetent that he needs a protector and a body guard. How can he ever become The Batman if he has to have someone watching over him. I understand Bruce is supposed to be younger and less experienced but this is really crappy.

I hope the second episode will be more entertaining because the first wasn't. I was actually excited about a new Batman animated series but this was just dull and boring.