Like every other DC Comics nerd, I know Andrea Romano's name from watching my Batman, Superman and Justice league cartoons a little too closely. And, of course, the extras on the DVD sets.
It seems she's hanging up her... headset? microphone? and passing off her duties as she heads into well-earned retirement.
It's hard to say how one measures the skill of a voice director for cartoons, but here's a sample of shows she's worked on:
- Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers
- Duck Tales
- Tiny Toon Adventures
- Animaniacs
- Batman: The Animated Series
- Freakazoid
- Superman
- Batman Beyond
- Static Shock
- Justice League
- Teen Titans
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold
- Spongebob Squarepants
- The Boondocks
and a whole lot more
I know the folks 10 or 15 years younger than me will disagree because they've got nostalgia on their side, but I couldn't ever figure out what was wrong with the acting in the Marvel cartoons of the 1990's (or, heck, today). The voice acting always sounded rushed, like people just shouting lines into a mic. But DC's work always sounded natural, like a radio show or movie, just animated. Her characters were distinct, had their own cadences and personalities.
And when you think of shows like Animaniacs or Tiny Toons - those voices were so specific and as much a part of the characters as any cell animation - you can't really separate the two. Hell, the Warner Brothers (and the Warner Sister) still bounce around in my head in perfect pitch.
Yeah, that's because WB has a great stable of voice actors, but they've also been working under Romano for decades now. She brought in name talent like Clancy Brown for Superman, and she found a fellow by the name of Kevin Conroy and made him "the" Batman for two or three generations of fans, no matter who was putting on the cowl in the feature films.
Back when I was still buying DVDs and BluRays of DC movies and series, I'd always jump immediately to the extras and hope they'd have an interview with Romano, who was casual but a total pro every time she was on camera. Her feel for the characters and, really, how to work with actors was superb, and it played out in every story, in every series and movie and arc. And even though she's not associated with Justice League Action - which all of you should be watching - the show's production carries so much of her stamp, such is her legacy at at WB Animation.
I'm sad she's retiring, because it means less of her work, but it's important to say a big thanks to Ms. Romano, who has been such a huge part of so many hours of entertainment we've all been able to enjoy, and who's amazing abilities elevated an artform that many thought of hokey kid stuff.
Here's to you, ma'am.
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