Glen Murakami

Last updated
Glen Murakami
Glen Murakami by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Murakami at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Animator, director, artist, character designer, producer
Notable work Teen Titans (2003–2006)
Batman Beyond (1999–2001)
Beware the Batman (2013–2014)
Ben 10: Alien Force (2008–2010)
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (2010–2012)

Glen Murakami is an American animator, artist, character designer, director and producer best known for his work on Teen Titans , Batman Beyond , Teen Titans Go! , Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien . Murakami is the creator and producer of the Cartoon Network series Teen Titans. [1] [2]

Contents

Animation

Murakami originally wanted to be a comic book artist. His friend from junior high and high school, Keith Weesner, got a job working on Batman: The Animated Series as a background artist and informed Murakami when they were hiring artists at Warner Bros. Animation. [1] Murakami was given a storyboard test, which he failed. But seeing his drawing talent, he was hired anyway. [3]

Working closely with Bruce Timm, Murakami worked as a character designer and storyboard artist from 1991 to 1993. [4] From 1995 to 1999, Murakami worked as Art Director on Superman: The Animated Series and The New Batman/Superman Adventures . [4]

Batman Beyond

Murakami was promoted to producer for Batman Beyond and won an Emmy Award in 2001 for his work on the series. [4] In addition to producing, he also was credited for story on the direct-to-video film, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker .

Teen Titans

In 2002, according to Murakami in an interview in 2012, Sam Register, Senior Vice President of development at Cartoon Network at the time, wanted a show that was based on the comics, Teen Titans, and brought Murakami, who already had a history with Batman Beyond and Superman: The Animated Series to create the new series based on the comics, the Teen Titans . [1] "I just felt like the Teen Titans was one of the properties left in the DC Universe that hadn't been turned into a cartoon yet, but really needed to be" stated Register. After seeing Murakami's unusual anime influenced style for the show, Register thought it worked, for which he stated: "There are elements that you can totally pull from [those shows] and that's because Glen comes from that world. But one of the criteria for developing Teen Titans was I wanted a whole new look. I wanted to be completely surprised. I wanted something that kind of popped. And that anime style was going to do that." [5] With the direction for the new show put in place, Murakami, as the show's creator, would co-develop the series with Register and television writer David Slack and serve as the show's producer. [1] [2] After a decade working on shows produced by his friend and mentor Bruce Timm, Murakami produced the Teen Titans without Timm, which was his first series without him.

In addition to being series creator and producer, he was also character designer on the series. Murakami approached the show with an unusual design style, setting them apart from the rest of DC Comics animated programing. The show's style was dubbed Murakanime or "Americanime".

On developing the characters from the comics to the show, Murakami made sure that they were unique and different enough from other former DC shows. He stated: "We picked the characters that we thought were the most iconic and the most symbolic." "I wanted it to be very, very clear to understand them. Robin's the leader. Starfire's the alien, but she's also the metaphor for the foreign exchange student or outsider. Cyborg's the strong man. Beast Boy's the funny one, but he's insecure. He can be all of these animals, but at the same time he's still really insecure. Early on, my whole thing was I wanted to understand their flaws because I thought that's what will make them human. I think sometimes with the Justice League, all the characters are in some ways so perfect it makes it hard to relate to them!' [5]

The popular series ran for five seasons, 65 episodes and concluded with the film Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo in 2006.

Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien

Following Teen Titans, Murakami teamed up with writer Dwayne McDuffie to revamp a series for Cartoon Network's Ben 10 franchise. Murakami served as executive producer on Ben 10: Alien Force , which ran for three seasons and 46 episodes.

Immediately following Alien Force, Murakami and McDuffie revamped the follow-up series, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien .

Beware the Batman

In 2011, Warner Bros. Animation announced that Murakami would be executive producer on an animated television series Beware the Batman . [6]

Comics

Murakami illustrated the Star Wars comic Death Star Pirates - originally published in issues #16 through #20 of the Star Wars kids magazine in 1998 and later collected in Star Wars Tales Volume 2 by Dark Horse Comics.

He also drew a cover for Teen Titans Go! , and wrote and drew for stories in Batman Adventures and Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories, winning an Eisner Award for his work in the Batman Adventures Holiday Special.

Awards

Influences

Murakami's influences include Jack Kirby, Alex Toth, John Byrne, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, and Dave Stevens. [3]

Filmography

Writing

YearTitleCredited asNetworkNotes
WriterProducerDeveloperShowrunner

1999–2001

Batman Beyond Dark Red x.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg The WB

2003–2006

Teen Titans Dark Red x.svgYes check.svg Cartoon Network

2013–2014

Beware the Batman Dark Red x.svgYes check.svg Cartoon Network

Related Research Articles

<i>Superman: The Animated Series</i> American animated television series (1996–2000)

Superman: The Animated Series is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics character Superman. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and originally aired on Kids' WB from September 6, 1996, to February 12, 2000. It was the second series in the DC Animated Universe after Batman: The Animated Series, and like its predecessor, it has been acclaimed for its writing, voice acting, maturity, and modernization of the title character's comic-book mythos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harley Quinn</span> Character in the DC Universe

Harley Quinn is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series as a henchwoman for the Joker, and debuted in its 22nd episode, "Joker's Favor", on September 11, 1992. While intended to appear in one episode, Quinn became a recurring character within the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) as the Joker's sidekick and love interest, and was adapted into DC Comics' canon seven years later, beginning with the one-shot Batman: Harley Quinn #1. Quinn's origin story features her as a former psychologist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum who was manipulated by and fell in love with the Joker, her patient, eventually becoming his accomplice and lover. The character's alias is a play on the stock character Harlequin from the 16th-century Italian theater commedia dell'arte.

Justice League is an American animated television series which ran from November 17, 2001 to May 29, 2004 on Cartoon Network. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics. It serves as a sequel to Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, as well as a prequel to Batman Beyond, and is the seventh series of the DC Animated Universe. After two seasons, the series was rebranded as Justice League Unlimited, a successor series which aired for three seasons.

<i>The Batman Adventures</i> DC Comics comic book series

The Batman Adventures is a DC Comics comic book series featuring Batman. It is different from other Batman titles because it is set in the continuity of Batman: The Animated Series, as opposed to the regular DC Universe.

<i>Teen Titans</i> (TV series) American animated TV series

Teen Titans is an American animated superhero television series created by Glen Murakami and developed by Murakami, David Slack and Sam Register. Based on DC Comics's superhero team of the same name it was produced by Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Entertainment. The show premiered on Cartoon Network on July 19, 2003; its first two seasons also aired on Kids' WB. Initially, only four seasons were planned, but the popularity of the series led to Cartoon Network's ordering a fifth season. The final half-hour episode of the show, "Things Change", aired on January 16, 2006; it was later followed by a TV movie, Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo, that premiered on September 15 the same year, serving as the series finale. A 15-minute episode titled "The Lost Episode" was released as part of an online promotional campaign by Post Consumer Brands in January 2005.

<i>The Batman</i> (TV series) 2004–2008 American television series

The Batman is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. Developed by Michael Goguen and Duane Capizzi, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the series first aired on Kids' WB on September 11, 2004, then Cartoon Network on April 2, 2005. The show would become exclusive to the former network for its third, fourth, and fifth seasons in early 2006. The Batman won six Daytime Emmy Awards over the course of its run. Many elements from previous Batman storylines were borrowed and adapted, such as those from the comic books, film series and the animated shows like Batman: The Animated Series from the DC Animated Universe, but it remained strictly within its own distinct continuity. Jackie Chan Adventures artist Jeff Matsuda served as art director and provided the character designs. The production team altered the appearances of many of the comic books' supervillains for the show, such as the Joker, the Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Bane, and the Riddler.

<i>The New Adventures of Batman</i> American animated television series

The New Adventures of Batman is an animated series that aired on CBS from February 12 to May 28, 1977, featuring the DC Comics superheroes Batman and Robin, and Batgirl. The series was a Filmation and DC Comics production in association with Warner Bros. Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Timm</span> American artist, character designer, animator

Bruce Walter Timm is an American artist, animator, writer, producer, and director. He is best known for contributing to building the modern DC Comics animated franchise, most notably as the head producer behind Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000), The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), Batman Beyond (1999–2001), Justice League (2001–2004), and Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DC Animated Universe</span> Shared fictional universe

The DC Animated Universe is a shared universe centered on a group of animated television series based on DC Comics and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It began with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992 and ended with Justice League Unlimited in 2006. The associated media franchise also includes theatrical and direct-to-video feature films, as well as shorts, comic books, video games, and other multimedia adaptations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Dini</span> American writer and comic creator

Paul McClaran Dini is an American screenwriter and comic creator. He has been a producer and writer for several Warner Bros. Animation/DC Comics animated series, most notably Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), and the subsequent DC Animated Universe. Dini and Bruce Timm co-created the characters Harley Quinn and Terry McGinnis.

<i>The Batman Adventures: Mad Love</i> 1993 comic book by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

The Batman Adventures: Mad Love is a one-shot comic book written by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. It won the Eisner Award for Best Single Issue and the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story in 1994. It was later adapted as an episode of the animated series The New Batman Adventures, and incorporated in the video games Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham Origins. In 2018, Titan Books released a novelization of Mad Love written by Dini and Pat Cadigan, which expanded upon the original comic book.

<i>The New Batman Adventures</i> American animated superhero TV series (1997–1999)

The New Batman Adventures is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, which aired on Kids' WB from September 13, 1997 to January 16, 1999. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it is a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), serving as the third season of the show, and the third series in the DC Animated Universe. It was followed by Batman Beyond (1999–2001). The series was revamped from BTAS, replacing its art style with streamlined designs for more consistent animation, and to maintain similarity with the simultaneously running Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000), with episodes airing on Kids' WB under the title The New Batman/Superman Adventures.

<i>Batman</i> (franchise) Franchise based on DC Comics character, Batman

The DC Comics character Batman has been adapted into various media including film, radio, television, and video games, as well as numerous merchandising items. The Batman franchise has become one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

<i>Superman</i> (franchise) Portrayals of Superman outside of comic books

The American comic book character Superman, created in 1938, has appeared in many types of media since the 1940s. Superman has appeared in radio, television, movies, and video games each on multiple occasions, and his name, symbol, and image have appeared on products and merchandise.

<i>Batman Animated</i> Book by Paul Dini

Batman Animated is a coffee table book written by Paul Dini and designed by Chip Kidd, about the popular TV show Batman: The Animated Series. It was first published in a hardcover edition in 1998 by Titan Books. A paperback edition of the book was published later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Liu</span>

Sam Liu is an American animation producer, director, storyboard artist and character designer. He is best known for directing animated superhero films at both Marvel Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation.

<i>Fatman on Batman</i> Pop culture podcast

Fatman on Batman is a podcast and video series in which hosts, filmmaker Kevin Smith and writer Marc Bernardin explores their geeky interests, originally focusing on the DC comic property Batman. The podcast was retitled Fatman Beyond after Smith's weight loss. The show is part of the SModcast Podcast Network.

<i>Teen Titans</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the animated television series Teen Titans, based on the DC Comics series created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani, originally aired on Cartoon Network in the United States. Developed by Glen Murakami, Sam Register, and television writer David Slack. The series was produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. It stars Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Khary Payton, Tara Strong, and Greg Cipes as the voices of the main characters.

<i>Teen Titans</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the animated television series Teen Titans, based on the DC comics series of the same name by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani, originally aired on Cartoon Network in the United States. Developed by Glen Murakami, Sam Register, and television writer David Slack. The series was produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. It stars Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Khary Payton, Tara Strong, and Greg Cipes as the main characters.

<i>Teen Titans</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the animated television series Teen Titans, based on the DC comics series of the same time by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani, originally aired on Cartoon Network in the United States. Developed by Glen Murakami, Sam Register, and television writer David Slack. The series was produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Glen Murakami Five Seasons" Archived 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine , Five Seasons of Murakanime
  2. 1 2 Talkin’ 'Teen Titans ': "Glen Murakami Raps About His Latest Superhero Series
  3. 1 2 "The Critical Eye | Bruce Timm and Glen Murakami" Archived 2017-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Interview at The Critical Eye, September 17, 1999.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Glen Murakami >> Animation, Comics, Awards" Archived 2015-02-11 at the Wayback Machine , Glenmurakami.com
  5. 1 2 Titans Tower Animated (September 2003). "The 80s-era DC Comics superteens are back in the new Cartoon Network animated series". Archived from the original on October 19, 2008.
  6. Sam Register @ MIP Jr: "Beware the Batman"; "Super Best Friends Forever"; "Tom & Jerry"; "DC Nation" News