Broken every bank and every bone



So, the first season of Batman Beyond has finally been released on DVD. That's old news, I suppose, but I only just got my copy in the mail! I really loved this show... it took a really lame sounding idea and crafted it into one of the coolest, most original "elseworlds"-styled Batman tales ever.



Seriously! I can picture the network executive meeting in my head right now. "We love Batman, but... uh... can you make him younger and hipper?" No true Batman fan would ever want to see a TV show designed to answer that question. But "Batman Beyond" surprised everyone -- or me, at least -- with its interesting premise, well-realized title character, rich universe and impressive original rouges gallery. And that's not even mentioning the really slick art direction, featuring some pretty incredible character design work from Bruce Timm and Shane Glines. (Shane is an incredible artist! I would link you to his website right now but it is totally full of naked ladies and you just can't take it!)



Maybe it did originate as a marketing-driven attempt to create a younger, cooler Batman, but the end result was still pretty neat. I mean, it could have been much worse. It could have been The Batman.



Sam Logan

Fear is what needs to be put to sleep out of reach



Ouch! I spent my weekend snowboarding, and now my everything is sore. But in the grand scheme of things, if being worn out from goofing off all weekend is the biggest problem you've got, you probably shouldn't be complaining!



(I'm a pretty lousy snowboarder, by the way, and I only go about once every year or two. I figured I should mention that, just in case you were getting ideas that I break the stereotype of tragically unfit, unathletic cartoonists. I probably can't do a sit-up. I don't own a pair of running shoes. I think I might have held a football once.)



Sam Logan

Are you sure what side of the glass you are on



I'm glad folks are so enthusiastic about the art contest. I really should have done something like this sooner!



Claire and I did our best to come up with something that could involve as many of Sam and Fuzzy's readers as possible. We didn't want to exclude people who aren't the most capable artists, which is why we've got the award for the most original idea. But at the same time, I wanted to see some really bad-ass artistry, which is why we've got the most impressive artwork award. (Also, because some people asked... this contest is open to everyone, regardless of where you live. I'll mail the prize anywhere.)



There are already several entries posted, which is great! But of course, there's no mad rush. The contest runs for three weeks, after all. Plenty of time!



No pressure!



Seriously!



Sam Logan