When I was a lot younger I had the privilege of being around during the airing of the BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES in the 1990s. Aside from the reruns of the campy 1960s Adam West show and the Tim Burton live action movies, this was my primary window into the world of Gotham City and the mythos surrounding all of the characters. I bought the dvds when they came out a couple years back and recently re-watched the entire series, and they are just as good today as they were over 10 years ago.
Even back then I knew there was something special about that show. It just seemed...different. It wasn't like any other show on TV as it felt more like short movies what with the voice acting, the music, the art style, and most importantly the storytelling. And now that I am much older, all of the subtleties of the artistry of that show are visible to me and I appreciate that much more.
Not only that, but that tv show inspired me. Being a kid already prone to daydreaming about worlds more interesting than our own, it allowed me to dive into the world they created for Batman and to simply let myself get lost in it. To this day, that incarnation of Batman is what I perceive to be a masterful project produced by multiple sets of talent coming together. It inspired me to strive to make my own personal creative endeavors as rich and wonderful as that series was.
So I created this piece in the style of their unique title cards as a 'thank you' to all those involved in creating such a wonderful piece of television history. Thank you to all those involved, and especially, wherever they may be if they ever see this - Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Eric Radomski, Jean MacCurdy, Glen Murakami, Kevin Altieri, John Calmette, and someone with whom I have had the pleasure of befriending thanks to today's technology - my friend Ted Blackman.
Here's to good tv! Cause if all tv shows were as good as that one, kids sitting in front of the tv all day wouldn't be so bad I think.
You're right Mauricio, Batman Animated was like nothing we'd seen before on TV. It was a huge hit, so much so that even Disney took notice and wanted to have a dark and sinister action series too. I went to Disney around '94 with other members of the BA crew to create the Gargoyles series. Seems everyone wanted to do their version of 'dark deco back' then. Batman Animated was a very good shake-up for the bland, animated shows of the period.
ReplyDeleteStill have my crew jacket and most special to me, the first matted, crew-only production cel that I had everyone on the crew sign, including Jean MacCurdy, back in '92.
Great post!
I totally agree Mauricio, the first time I saw this show I was like 'What is THIS?!' I was pre-occupied drawing ultra detailed comic style characters as a kid, and this show first opened my eyes to the beauty of simplicity and abstraction. Great concept in this 'thank you' card ;)
ReplyDeleteTed- must have been such a blast working on this show!
Man you hit the nail on the head. Probably the greatest animated tv show ever. I love the piece of art you created for it also. Really hits the point home.
ReplyDeleteWell done and well said!
I stumbled upon this blog by accident and I MUST leave a comment saying that this piece is fantastic
ReplyDeleteThis show has totally inspired me in my current and future endeavors and I have never seen a piece of artwork sum it up better. This is so cool and I'm simply reinspired.
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