The Zeta Project – The 2001 animated series

The Zeta Project is an American science fiction animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation, which first aired on Kids' WB in January 2001. It is the sixth series in the DC Animated Universe and a spin-off series based on the Zeta character from the Batman Beyond episode. The series was created by Robert Goodman and Warner Bros. Animation. The protagonist of the story is Zeta, a humanoid robot designed to carry out secret assassinations on behalf of the NSA. However, when he discovers that one of his targets is innocent, Zeta has an existential crisis about the goodness and value of life and decides not to kill anymore. He refuses to continue his work and searches for his creator, Doctor Selig, while on the run from a team of NSA agents, led by Agent Bennet and aided by a 15-year-old girl, Rosalie “Ro” Rowan .

The Zeta Project is inspired by Frankenstein, Blade Runner and The Fugitive and follows the adventures of Zeta and Ro as they try to prove his innocence. The series was called too dark by the Network, but managed to continue for two seasons before cancellation. Main characters include Zeta, Rosalie “Ro” Rowan, Agent Bennett, Dr. Eli Selig, Agent Orin West and Marcia Lee, Bucky Buenaventura, Infiltration Unit 7. Voice actors include Diedrich Bader, Julie Nathanson , and Kurtwood Smith.

The Zeta Project is a compelling and innovative animated series combining action, dramedy, and science fiction, which has captivated young audiences with its immersive story and gripping adventures.

The Zeta Project is an American animated television series in the dramedy, science fiction, action, cyberpunk and superhero genres. The series was created by Robert Goodman and broadcast on Kids' WB starting in January 2001. It is the sixth series in the DC Animated Universe and a spin-off based on the character Zeta from the Batman Beyond episode of the same name. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and had two seasons with a total of 26 episodes, lasting 30 minutes each.

The story revolves around the main character, Zeta, a humanoid android designed to carry out secret assassinations on behalf of the National Security Agency. However, when Zeta discovers that one of his targets is innocent, he begins an existential crisis about the goodness and value of life and decides to rebel, refusing to continue killing. She then begins to search for her creator, Dr. Selig, while he is pursued by NSA agents and aided by a 15-year-old runaway girl named Rosalie “Ro” Rowan.

The series, inspired by Frankenstein, Blade Runner and The Fugitive, follows the adventures of Zeta and Ro as they attempt to prove his innocence, while NSA agents believe he has been reprogrammed for an unknown purpose. Despite the lighter tone adopted, the series addressed themes such as dark government, the misuse of technology and various social and political issues.

Characters

Zeta Infiltration Unit Zeta is a synthetic originally designed to gather intelligence and kill certain targets for the NSA. However, after discovering that one of his targets was actually innocent, he refused to kill again and went on the run. Since then, Zeta's creators have been chasing him, convinced that he had been reprogrammed by terrorists. Zeta hopes that his creator, Dr. Selig, can prove him innocent, and so he searches for him. He meets Rosalie after saving her from a street gang, and in return she helps him escape the officers chasing him. While Zeta no longer possesses most of the weapons he was originally equipped with, his arms are equipped with sharp saw blades and lasers; He also has various non-lethal tools, such as welding lasers, a computer interface, and an unlimited credit card. He has a high-strength metallic frame and the ability to project a hologram around himself and alter his voice. Additionally, he is faster than a human, can perceive wavelengths outside of human perception, and has a limited ability to self-repair.

Rosalie “Ro” Rowan Rosalie Rowan is a 15-year-old girl who grew up in foster care in Hillsburg with Sheriff Morgan and his family before being assigned to a state home on Gaines Street. The only thing she knows about her family are vague memories of an older brother, from whom she was separated years ago by the foster care system. She ran away from the state system at fifteen and joined a gang to get a home. But when she refused to participate in a bank robbery to prove her worth to the leader, she left the gang. As she and Zeta search for her creator, Ro embarks on her own personal journey to find a "family" to belong to. She serves as Zeta's guide to "passing" between humans and teaches him lessons about being human. Additionally, she is a source of comedy in the series, contrasting with Zeta's stoic nature. She is visually inspired by Priss from Blade Runner.

Special Agent James Bennet Agent Bennet is the leader of the NSA team sent to capture Zeta and bring him back alive, believing he is working with the terrorist organization Brother's Day. Despite his supposed professionalism, he is willing to disobey orders when it suits him and to abuse of his authority. Although he overheard a conversation between Dr. Selig and Zeta, in which Selig admits to having implanted a chip inside Zeta that gave him a conscience, it is unknown whether he is willing to stop being his enemy. Bennet is inspired by Lieutenant Philip Gerard from The Fugitive.

Dr. Eli Selig Dr. Eli Selig is Zeta's creator and the former head of the government's Infiltration Unit program, who knows Zeta's abilities and limitations better than anyone. Since he built Zeta, he has devoted himself to another government project, more confidential than his previous jobs. Currently, Selig has become a ghost, appearing where and when his work requires and occasionally aiding other scientists or lecturing. However, because his safety is so sensitive, his appearances are never announced until the last minute.

Agent Orin West and Marcia Lee Initially Scout Unit Four, NSA Agent Orin West and Marcia Lee fail to capture Zeta at the Wood Valley Maryland hoverbus station and are assigned to work for Agent Bennet as punishment, dedicating themselves to capturing Zeta.

West is clumsy and overzealous, while Lee is more controlled and follows the rules and keeps him in check. Lee has doubts about Zeta's guilt and is willing to believe that she can be peaceful, sometimes putting herself at odds with Bennet. Lee eventually leaves Bennet's team and is replaced by Agent Rush.

West shares a last name with and resembles Wally West, who is also voiced by Rosenbaum. However, series producer Bob Goodman stated that this was by chance.

Bucky Buenaventura Bucky Buenaventura is a 12-year-old boy and child prodigy, who has been emancipated from his parents and lives in the Sorben Institute, an academic think tank. He is skilled at hacking and loves to hack into high-security corporate computers and expose government secrets to prove he is capable of doing so. Bucky travels freely and shows interest in Zeta and Ro while keeping an eye on them.

Infiltration Unit 7 IU7 is the next generation of the Infiltration Unit after Zeta, which Agent Bennet unleashes to capture his predecessor. Like him, he is a synthetic with camouflage abilities and has a vast arsenal of weapons, but his metallic frame is larger, more powerful, and more heavily armed. Due to the one-directionality of IU7's programming, Zeta and Ro usually find ways to outsmart him.

The main cast includes Diedrich Bader as Zeta / Infiltration Unit Zeta, Julie Nathanson as Rosalie “Ro” Rowan and Eli Marienthal as Kid Zee. Other characters include Agent James Bennet, Dr. Eli Selig, Agent Orin West and Marcia Lee, Bucky Buenaventura, and Infiltration Unit 7.

The series ran on Kids' WB from January 27, 2001 to August 10, 2002.

Original title: The Zeta Project
Original language: English
Country: United States
Author: Robert Goodman
Directed by: Curt Geda
Subject: Hilary J. Bader, Kevin Hopps, Ralph Soll, Rich Fogel, Stacey Liss Goodman, Paul Diamond, Katy Cooper, Ned Teitelbaum, Joseph Kuhr, Randy Rogel, Lyle Weldon, David Benullo, Christopher Simmons
Studio: Warner Bros. Television
First TV: January 27, 2001 - August 10, 2002
Episodes: 26 (complete series)
Duration: 30 minutes per episode
Gender: Supereroi
Preceded by: Static Shock
Followed by: Justice League
Genres: Dramedy, Science Fiction, Action, Cyberpunk, Superheroes
Created by: Robert Goodman
Based on: Zeta by Robert Goodman
Written by: Robert Goodman (seasons 1–2), Rich Fogel (season 1), Kevin Hopps (season 1)
performers: Diedrich Bader, Julie Nathanson, Kurtwood Smith, Dominique Jennings, Eli Marienthal, Scott Marquette, Michael Rosenbaum, Lauren Tom
Composers: Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter
Country of origin: United States
Original language: English
Number of Seasons: 2
Number of Episodes: 26
Production
Duration: 30 minutes
Production House: Warner Bros. Television Animation
Original release
Network: Kids' WB
Release date: January 27, 2001 - August 10, 2002
Related: Batman Beyond



Source: wikipedia.com