Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
When it comes to comparing Marvel and DC animated shows, one always seems to find itself on top. FromYoung JusticetoBatman Beyond,the upper hand goes to DC in many ways. That does not necessarily mean that Marvel is far behind. Especially with the release ofX-Men ’97,tides are bound to turn at some point. Bruce Timm happens to be the man behindBatman: The Animated Series,a show that is receiving praise like prayers.
Being involved with so many animated projects and knowing Batman like the back of his hand, he had many opinions about shows that worked and those that didn’t.
Bruce Timm Waited 20 Years to Execute an Episode Idea WB Forbade Him from Doing in Batman: The Animated Series
Timm had the opportunity to work on Jack Kirby’s designs and creations. However, there are two that he finds to be underwhelming due to the failure to capture Kirby’s essence.
Marvel Did Not Do Justice to 2 of Jack Kirby’s Creations
Bruce Timm, in an interview withTwo Morrows, revealed that in all the works that he has indulged in making,Jack Kirby’sdesigns have been a big challenge to replicate. Out of the many that he has worked on, there are some that he loved unconditionally and those that he found were lacking his touch. To be more specific, two Marvel shows failed to live up to his expectations.Fantastic Four (1994)andSilver Surfer (1998).
“Shows like the Silver Surfer and the Fantastic Four show from a couple of years ago-I think their heart was in the right place. I think they tried to do Jack Kirby in animation, but you can’t just literally take Jack’s designs and eliminate some of the extra detail and just put it on the screen that way.”
According to the animator, the task ofbringing someone else’s designs to life is difficult on its own.Despite numerous attempts to copy them, one or the other factor would always seem missing.
“They were going to wage war”: Spider-Man: The Animated Series Creator John Semper Called Out Batman: TAS Writers for Their “Unproductive attitude”
He criticized how the series took away parts of his work, shredding the designs that made them so perfect just so they could incorporate them into television.
Bruce Timm Gave His Everything for One Character but Still Failed
When asked about what his favorite project was of Jack Kirby’s that he got to be a part of, Bruce Timm confirmed to Two Morrow that the two-parter episodes in the second season of 2001’sJustice Leaguehad a special place in his heart. The two-parter premiere of season two, titledTwilight,became something of a special memory in his mind.
“The minute you start drawing him in the proportion that Jack drew him, he’s only five-and-a-half feet tall. So suddenly the character looked liked a midget; he didn’t have the power that Orion needs to have. I had to attempt to keep the spirit of Kirby without actually making it a strict literal adaptation of his artwork. So Orion feels right even though he doesn’t look exactly the way Jack drew him.”
He explained that despite trying his very best, he was unable torecreate Kirby’s designs. No matter how much he tried, there was always something or the other that he found lacking. Especially when drawing Orion. The character seemed too unlike himself and the power that he carried also felt missing.
One Batman: The Animated Series Episode Was So Jarring Even Bruce Timm “Sobbed like a baby”
He wanted to not copy his designs but keep the essence of them at the same time. Unfortunately, he was unable to do that, trying again and again but failing to see Orion from Kirby’s eyes.
Adya Godboley
Anime Content Manager
Articles Published :1879
Adya Godboley is the Anime Content Lead at FandomWire with over 1800 published articles. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-certified critic with a background in literature. From The Case Study of Vanitas to Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, her anime knowledge is one she’s gathered with years of experience. She also enjoys Marvel, DC and Superhero media with her works having been recognized by prominent figures such as Dwayne Johnson, Abby Trott and the Blood of Zeus creators.
More from Adya Godboley
EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Trumble Dives Into the Inspiration Behind Batman: Broken Promise
To Be Hero X Episode 18 Review: Little Johnny’s Trust Comes with the Price to Pay
To Be Hero X Episode 17 Review: Little Johnny’s Arc Is a Little Too Tainted By Spoilers
Recommended
Gen V Season 2: Total Episodes and Finale Date Revealed
We Were Liars Season 1 Ending Explained: Who Does Cadence Accidentally Kill?
Seth Rogen Had to Apologize for Comparing Clint Eastwood’s Biggest Movie to Inglourious Basterds
New ‘Harry Potter’ BTS Image Reveals Nick Frost’s Shockingly Perfect Look as Hagrid
Upload Season 4: How Many Episodes Will the Final Season Have?
Japan’s 10 Most-Watched Anime of 2025: Naruto Not Even in Top 5
Bruce TimmJack Kirby
