LeVar Burton on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies...

LeVar Burton on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies...

The star of Roots, Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation talks about his role as Black Lightning in DC's newest animated movie.

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By bsprecher - Aug 20, 2009 02:08 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman (Animated)
This is the golden age of animated comic book movies with more high-quality animated features coming out than ever before. The latest addition from DC Comics, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies features an all-star cast of voice actors, including the Kevin Conroy as (the definitive) Batman, Tim Daly as Superman, Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor and LeVar Burton as Black Lightning.

Burton broke out in tv series Roots,then switched gears to do children's programming with Reading Rainbow, before playing the character for which he is most widely known, Geordi La Forge Star Trek: The Next Generation and its movie versions.






With Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation set to release the all-new Superman/Batman: Public Enemies on September 29, Burton is making the rounds to promote the project.

When asked about how he came up with Black Lightning's voice, Burton told IESB:

"I think everybody has a superhero that lives inside of them. So I just went to that place, that deep kind of super hero voice."

When asked about his childhood heroes, LeVar chose the Dark Knight.

"When I was a kid, it was always Batman over Superman. Batman had all the cool stuff, and he just had a vibe. Superman was the All-American guy but, with Batman, there's a little something going on. Batman's history was a little edgier, and there was just something really attractive to me about the cowl. Superman is all out there, even though he does the Clark Kent thing, but Batman keeps his identity hidden. He has this double life that's very sexy, very attractive for a kid. Not that I didn't like Superman - the whole kryptonite thing is all well and good - but Batman was my guy.

"(Now, I'm) Black Lightning. That ain't a bad place to start. I mean, come on, if you're going to play a super hero, why not play the first real black super hero in the pantheon? I'm good with that.

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flames809
flames809 - 8/20/2009, 2:05 PM
kool and check out my story at fan fic is called story in the works
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 8/20/2009, 2:06 PM
Golden Age is sooo right, well for DC anyway! ; )
NubaX
NubaX - 8/20/2009, 2:06 PM
Wow!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 8/20/2009, 2:07 PM
Man, BLACK LIGHTNING looks cool! I bet this is better than FRONTIER even! Cant wait for the JLA CRISIS movie!!!
NataliaRomanov
NataliaRomanov - 8/20/2009, 2:09 PM
What was Reading Rainbow? Like Sesame Street? It must have been before my time.

Go, Black Lightning, go!
NubaX
NubaX - 8/20/2009, 2:11 PM
I Agree Lee!

Just....

WOW!!!
spideysweb
spideysweb - 8/20/2009, 2:13 PM
Can't wait for this
NataliaRomanov
NataliaRomanov - 8/20/2009, 2:14 PM
Power Girl too! Yea, grrrl power!
cbsmitty2
cbsmitty2 - 8/20/2009, 2:14 PM
Reading Rainbow was a show to encourage kids to read, the theme song was so annoying.

NubaX
NubaX - 8/20/2009, 2:15 PM
When does this come out?
NataliaRomanov
NataliaRomanov - 8/20/2009, 2:17 PM
@cbsmitty: Thanx! Must have been before my time, but it looks like a fun kids show.

@NubaX: Sep 29.
cbsmitty2
cbsmitty2 - 8/20/2009, 2:18 PM
@natalia when were u born
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 8/20/2009, 2:18 PM
Dunno @ NubaX @ bud, but its sometime very soon! ; )

Like SEP 29th! Thanx @ NAT! ; D

Lol @ Cbs!
NataliaRomanov
NataliaRomanov - 8/20/2009, 2:19 PM
@cbsmitty2: 1989.
DrDon
DrDon - 8/20/2009, 2:20 PM
Good quality animation, it appears.
cbsmitty2
cbsmitty2 - 8/20/2009, 2:20 PM
im 1988 it was during our time, they made us watch it for a lil bit at school
NataliaRomanov
NataliaRomanov - 8/20/2009, 2:23 PM
@cbsmitty: Hmm, don't remember it. Where did you grow up? I'm a California girl now, but I lived all over the place.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 8/20/2009, 2:30 PM
Ahhh @ BRENT @ In main, i dont think anyone's noticed they got a AVATAR TRAILER LINK up top with a IRON MAN 2 picture dude!

I luv that song, CALIFORNIA GIRLS! ; D
WulfComicFan
WulfComicFan - 8/20/2009, 2:32 PM
Sweet, the animated features coming out are pretty cool. I really dug Green Lantern: First Flight.

Reading Rainbow was a cool program for me. I'm from 1978. Kinda old around here huh?
Spock
Spock - 8/20/2009, 2:32 PM
I remember the show & roots, I was ten then. If u cant' do the math i was born in 79. Gen X/Y or 9-11 if you prefer. Levar has come a long way. He was just recently in a car accident. But he is doing pretty good now. I think this will be better than Frontier. Doomsday was ok. But I hoped they stayed with the JL Unlimited look, but i was disappointed.

Wulf your not old, I always say its about your how you take care of yourself. Iam 29 & in excellent shape 6-1, 200lbs, athletic built etc. Oh to much info.
WulfComicFan
WulfComicFan - 8/20/2009, 2:38 PM
yeah, I feel old though, got some back issues, and spent some years beating the hell outta myself.
NataliaRomanov
NataliaRomanov - 8/20/2009, 2:46 PM
@Spock: I just remember Geordie. Is he okay? What happened?

@Wulf: Hey, I won't judge you for being "old" if you don't judge me for being "young"...or a woman...or a redhead...
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 8/20/2009, 2:46 PM
IM JUST WONDERING, IF THIS IS THE GOLDEN AGE OF CARTOONS, WHY DID SOME OLDSCHOOL CARTOONS LOOK MORE FLUID AND REAL..EVEN IN THE DAYS OF OLDSCHOOL DISNEY, THEIR MOVIES LOOKED COOL, NOWADAYS ITS ALL LOOKING LIKE SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS.
Spock
Spock - 8/20/2009, 2:47 PM
its all good Wulf, just try not to over do it. Now I amgoing to make an article on Immortality. U got me started. Being Mortal & humans does have its draw backs sometimes Health wise that is. Stay tuned.

@ Natalia he was just in a minor car accident, u can always yahoo or google it. He is fine.
NataliaRomanov
NataliaRomanov - 8/20/2009, 2:51 PM
@spock: Thanx for saving me the trouble! ;D
Spock
Spock - 8/20/2009, 2:55 PM
hahaha No problem. too long for this format.
Bijous
Bijous - 8/20/2009, 2:57 PM
I've been diggin' these new movies. They're more mature than the TV shows. There's a lot more action, too! Remember when you couldn't even seen guns in cartoons? Those old GI Joe cartoons had light guns and every Cobra bailed out b/f his craft exploded.
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 8/20/2009, 2:58 PM
love the animation!its like new frontier on steroids

as a matter of fact,ed mcguiness's art is like darwyn cookes art on steroids
WulfComicFan
WulfComicFan - 8/20/2009, 3:07 PM
@ Natalia, why would I judge you for being a redheaded woman? They are cool. Now being young on the other hand.....J/K.
cbsmitty2
cbsmitty2 - 8/20/2009, 3:20 PM
hey can anybody tell me the difference between static and black lightning?

WulfComicFan
WulfComicFan - 8/20/2009, 3:22 PM
I could be wrong, but isn't Static Marvel & Black Lightning DC?
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 8/20/2009, 3:35 PM
Both DC, but ones in the MILESTONE Universe!!!

Still TWINS though lol, especially in the animated series! : D
AvengingAngel1022
AvengingAngel1022 - 8/20/2009, 3:37 PM
cool
WulfComicFan
WulfComicFan - 8/20/2009, 3:39 PM
Oh my bad. Sorry guys, and I did say, I could be wrong. :)
BillyBlack
BillyBlack - 8/20/2009, 3:56 PM
The difference is Static Shock is a kid, and kind of lame.

And by kind of, I mean totally.

Natalia

Young redhead girls are my fave ;) but you're just a baby, girl. Damn 1989? I was already full of teenage angst by then. Spock is right about being as old as you feel and act. I feel like I'm 80 and act like I'm 8, so that evens it out.

Oh yeah, and try and steer clear of shibazz ^_^ she'd gobble a pyt like you up like a snacky cake!

hahahahh I joke.
KillerOfSaints
KillerOfSaints - 8/20/2009, 4:07 PM
This was the best graphic novel so far of the series. Jeph Loeb is the MAN!!! Power Girl's powers come form her ginormous boobies
NubaX
NubaX - 8/20/2009, 4:07 PM
Thank You Natalia!

:D
NubaX
NubaX - 8/20/2009, 4:17 PM
Static shock was really Cool!

I wish they would do a really Good Live Action Movie for him.
longbowhunter
longbowhunter - 8/20/2009, 4:21 PM
I'm glad to see Black Lightning in this movie. That guy doesnt get enough attention and he's a great character. Where the hell has LeVar Burton been? Takin a look in a book?
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