Off the Cuff: Batman The Animated Series
I spent a lot of my formative years watching Batman the Animated Series. And I loved it. That show defined not only Batman but all superheroes with its atmosphere, stories, and characters. Every single cartoon or movie is chasing the standard that Batman: TAS set.
Even the artwork was brilliant. It was the first show that I actually noticed the animation style. And I still think it used shadows better than any incarnation of Batman I’m familiar with.
That’s a high bar.
And in recent years I’ve feared that maybe my memories were tinted by rose colored glasses. Maybe Batman: TAS wasn’t half as good as my mind recalled. After all, I thought Voltron was the best show ever – it was devastating to learn that it’s not.
Talk about crushed childhood dreams.
Well let me relieve the fear – Batman: TAS is still the standard to beat. Watching it on TV these last few weeks has reminded me just how brilliant it was. What’s surprising is the show’s probably better than I remember!
As a kid I enjoyed it because of the action, the art, and the “coolness” of Batman. But I instinctively knew there was something more there – I just didn’t now what. Now I can now fully appreciate the subtlety of the characters and artwork. I can enjoy it for the depth of the story telling and character development.
Batman: TAS is still the greatest superhero cartoon ever created. And may possibly be the best cartoon ever created.
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April 29, 2008
Off the Cuff: the completist
I’m a completist. And as the name implies, I like to complete things. Those “things” don’t really matter. It can be completing video games, reading the whole run of a comic book, or watching all the episodes of a TV show.
The only thing I don’t like to complete is eating all my vegetables.
But this can be a problem. For example, what happens when something is horrible? That’s when the completist is in trouble. Suddenly he or she finds an internal struggle brewing. Do I finish the <insert name of current obsession>? Or do I cut my losses and run? It’s a tough position for a completist to be in.
Collecting comic books, despite an awful story, is probably the most commonly discussed example. However I have one that’s much worse - I have an almost compulsive need to finish watching the entire run of a TV show. This is especially true of anime.
I tell myself, “I can stop anytime I want.” But I can’t. I’m stuck between wanting to turn off the TV and being committed to the end.
For instance, I wasn’t a fan of Full Metal Alchemist, One Piece, Death Note, or Blood +, and yet, I kept watching. In some cases I’m still watching.
Part of the issue is that by the time I realize I don’t like a show, I’ve already invested 20 or 30 hours into it. That’s a lot of time to simply say, “yeah I don’t care about what happens.” But I know I’m lying to myself. I want to know how it ends. What’s the good of starting a story if you’re not going to finish it?
The other part is a total lack of options. If I want to watch anime on TV I can either watch Cartoon Network…or buy my own. So at the moment I am subject to the Cartoon Network programming overlords. Which means watching anime that under my own powers, I wouldn’t be watching.
I suppose this is just the completist dilemma.
So how about you? What do you have trouble giving up even though you know you should?
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March 25, 2008
Off the Cuff: GI Joe Movie
I can’t even begin to stress how skeptical I am of this movie. The simple fact that the writers started their project by backing away from GI Joe tradition bothers me. But I’m not just being bitter. I see two fundamental problems with the change of GI Joe from an American Hero to an “international peace keeping force.” Especially in light of this being done to sell more tickets to foreign markets.
1. When you focus on marketing and pay models instead of the story, you’re asking for trouble. Just look at HellGate.
2. They are changing an icon, simply to sell more tickets. This will only anger fans of the original cartoon. Which will make up the bulk of initial customers.
I can’t see how either of these things are good. (Well, good for a fan of the original cartoon….)
I hope I’m wrong though.
Now before I go all doom and gloom, there is one thing that gives me that hope: check out the images of Snake Eyes from Ain’t It Cool News.
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February 19, 2008
Off the Cuff: Exosquad
So a man in his basement has created an exo-suit to help disabled people walk. Can Exosquad be that far off?
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January 16, 2008
Off the Cuff: Anime as a PSA
Comics, Cartoons, and all things related
By Eric Barrett
Some days I’m amazed at just how far cartoons and comics have come to influence daily life. Yesterday as I was watching TV there was an anti-drug advertisement. That’s not totally unusual. You see those PSA’s all the time. But what struck me is that this commercial was in cartoon form.
Specifically anime.
There’s no question that anime has had a profound impact on our entertainment. Cartoon Network’s lineup (especially Adult Swim) is comprised mostly of anime. Some people consider this a bad trend. Personally I like anime and it’s style, so I’m fine with it.
If the people who make PSA’s think anime is what it takes to “reach the kids”, then anime has reached critical mass in this country. And the good news is that it’s pulling comics and cartoons right behind it.
No word on whether it stops kids for doing drugs.
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