E-pub offers fun analysis on "Justice League" animated TV series

Sept. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- For fans of the groundbreaking "Batman: The Animated Series" of the '90s and the shows that followed it in the same style, "Superman: The Animated Series" and "Batman Beyond," what could be better than a show focusing on not just one hero like Batman and Superman ... but on a whole bunch of heroes? A team, perhaps?

That's just what fans got with "Justice League," which debuted on Cartoon Network in November 2001 and ran new episodes until May 2006. The series, from Bruce Timm and the rest of the creative crew at Warner Bros. Animation, delivered up not only the Big Three -- Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman -- but also Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl. The "Justice League" series introduced a whole new set of action to the WB animated realm, taking these popular comic-book heroes from the printed page to places they had not yet gone on the small screen.

Now BRBTV offers a fan's-perspective analysis of the "Justice League" series in all five of its seasons, through its evolution to "Justice League Unlimited," when the door blew open wide with many more heroes from the DC Universe -- both well-known and obscure -- to battle a diverse array of villains.

Talented writer Will Rodgers examines this animated series in colorful, living detail in the new e-publication, "Justice League: A BRBTV Report," reporting on the show's genesis and describing the action of each and every episode. Rodgers is known on the web for his analysis of the classic "Super Friends" cartoon, and he enriches his commentary of "JL/U" with the essential background and the explanations of the influence of shows like "Super Friends" to this more-modern take.

Rodgers says, "I feel Bruce Timm summed it up best on the 'Justice League' history feature on the 'New Frontier' DVD when he said that 'fans love to see their favorite heroes teamed up' and that 'there's something undeniably attractive about it.' I agree with that statement. It's why I believe the 'Super Friends' ran and lasted as long as it did back on Saturday mornings during the 20th century and why 'JL' endured as long as it did.  Also, the fans were very persistent about seeing the Justice League when Bruce Timm and Co. were resisting the idea of taking on such a huge animation project, but in the end, it paid off most handsomely."

"Justice League" was notable for its mega-watt array of voice talent, and Rodgers -- a voice-over artist himself in his off-hours from his radio-station-DJ job -- pays particular attention to the series' cast in this Kindle report. From familiar voices like Kevin Conroy, Malcolm McDowell and Mark Hamill carrying over from the previous WB shows, to fresh talent such as Phil LaMarr, Carl Lumbly, Susan Eisenberg and Amy Acker, Rodgers has it all covered. His reporting is original content you won't find anywhere else.

"Animated series are made far better than what I grew up with," the author says. "You now have better technology and real characterization in the stories written. 'Justice League' gave true comic fans the opportunity to see their favorite characters, heroes, villains, major or minor, in starring roles or unspoken cameos in animated form, especially those who might not be seen that way again. And for non-comic fans, they get exposed to characters that would make them want to pick up a comic book with that character in it. The Justice League to me, is a variety as far as heroes and villains go, as well as the many different kinds of stories it gave us from traditional cities on Earth to outer space and other worlds. Also, we have some great serious episodes, a few humorous ones, and one major serialized story. One comic fan said as far as comics go, it's like being able to get more for your money when you have one book that has all your favorite heroes in the same comic together."

"Justice League: A BRBTV Report," is offered exclusively on Amazon through its Kindle platform and Amazon Prime programs. For members of Amazon Prime, the read is free, and for regular Kindle customers, it's only $3 for a large volume, the equivalent of 300 letter-sized pages.

"This Kindle doc is the biggest so far in the BRBTV Reports series!" BRBTV founder Billie Rae Bates says. Bates began the Reports series in 2006 as a way to showcase analysis of animated series and other "smaller" TV shows that don't necessarily warrant a larger volume in print.

"The electronic Kindle format is perfect for these," she says, "because it's so easily searchable, and very portable. Search on a character name, search on an episode name or a season -- the electronic nature of these reports helps reinforce their true purpose as at-your-side reference guides for when you're watching the shows."

Bates, based in Washington, D.C., has also written reference guides to the classic TV shows "Dynasty," "Dallas" and "The Dukes of Hazzard," released in print as the BRBTV fact book series. Rodgers, who lives near Chattanooga, Tennessee, has authored other installments in the BRBTV Reports series, notably one on "Superman: The Animated Series." In their collaborations, Bates says, she pulls the document together and does the layout, editing, and publishing with Kindle, but the text is all Rodgers'.

"He's a great writer," she says. "I'm glad to have him on board. He has the keenest grasp of detail I've ever seen, and he's wonderfully geeky with the subject matter. It takes that, to produce a successful guide like this!"

Learn more about BRBTV and its products at BRBTV.com.