Glen here...

...with a couple of tidbits regarding two distinctly separate, but somehow oddly complimentary projects.

First up, this message from BOB THE TOMATO. Bob sent in this message sometime last week, but systems difficulties have prevented me from accessing it and posting it until now. I made a quick check of other sites and news services, and didn't see this scoop reflected there. So, I thought I'd pass it on to you. Hope this is "fresh", and of interest. I think it's rather cool.

BOB THE TOMATO'S message rather speaks for itself. So, without further delay, here's what BOB had to say about the state-of-affairs on CBS' Martial Law.

Stanley Tong is in negotiations to direct a film based on his series.

Arsenio will be in it for sure, and Jet Li is being courted to play the villain.

The whole cast is expected to be in the film, and the budget will be approximately 13 million. If it falls through, Rupert Murdoch better be a fan.

The series is also supposed to have a big cliffhanger ending - and next year's season finale will have Jackie Chan in it as an immigrant being hunted by assasains.

Next: a mini-review of The WB's forthcoming animated revamping of the Batman franchise. This time it's called Batman Beyond.

In response to the many messages I have received asking why I haven't given this show more coverage, when I have manifested so much support for the animated Batman efforts in recent days? The answer is simple - I was told by official types that I would receive screener copies of a couple of Batman Beyond episodes, and possibly more promotional items from the series.

This never happened.

As such, my hands are tied. They're out some free and highly visible publicity, I'm out a review and an article I really wanted to write.

Nobody wins.

If Warners had any idea how many messages I received from readers who went out to but the new Batman: Animated book based on a review I ran a few weeks ago, their heads would be spinning. But when all is said and done, I guess the world doesn't balance out like that.

I'm not writing this to bitch and complain. Well, actually I am writing this to bitch and complain a little. Either way, I wanted readers to know I wasn't being obtuse or oblivious to the fact that this (probably) very kick-ass new show is hitting the airwaves in early January. And I wanted you to know I'd tried to bring you a lot more information about this show, much sooner than this.

Here's a few thoughts THE LAST LIVING OCCASIONAL WIFE FAN kindly sent in about the new Batman animated series:

Just wanted to drop a note that I have watched the pilot episode of "Batman Beyond" and, well, it is MUCH better than I was expecting.

Comes darn close to kicking ass, in fact.

They really have a sense of the whole Batman mythos. The reason for the original Bats retiring is right for the character (I could say why I feel that way in detail, but don't want to spoil it)... the new younger Batman is not an obnoxious brat like I expected... and their view of the future of Gotham City is one of the coolest future views I've seen, live or animated.

So, that's it. Thanks to THE LAST LIVING OCCASIONAL WIFE FAN for sending in his thoughts, brief as they were - it's a least an indication that some level of coolness may be awaiting us in a couple of weeks.

And, Warners? Well, hey! I offered...