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GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #105
Friday
12th November 1999
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WELCOME
==========
WHAT HAPPENED TO "GOTHAM GAZETTE" ?
------------------------------------
I have had several e-mails from people asking me when the
GOTHAM GAZETTE web site will be updated as it hasn't had an update since July.
The reason for the lack of update has been down to the fact that my workload in
"the day job" has increased a lot over the last few months, plus I
also have commitments to other writing gigs and a new book project (not Batman
related) underway. In order to make sure I could still spend time with my
family something had to give, and it was the web site.
Over the last few weeks I started to work on an update,
even had plans to move the site to it's own domain name and offer more content.
But as I worked on it I found it was more like a chore than a joy. I resented
the time it was taking away from the other creative projects I have under way.
GOTHAM GAZETTE is a hobby. If I'm not enjoying doing it
then I won't give it my best and the content will suffer. So after nearly 5
years I've come to the reluctant decision to stop producing GOTHAM GAZETTE and
the web-based Guide updates for now.
I'd like to thank all of you who were regular readers and
especially my regular contributors, Lee Barnett, Jim Demes, Alain Jansen, Chad
Sanborn and Caroline Werner-Muntz .
But don't worry the GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS will still be
published for the foreseeable future.
HELP - BATMAN & ROBIN TRADING CARDS NEEDED
--------------------------------------------
I discovered this week that several sleeves of Trading
Cards have been lost from my collection (I assume during the clear up after
Hurricane Floyd.) In particular I've lost the first part of the 1997 BATMAN
& ROBIN movie set. If anyone has duplicates of cards #1-27, please let me
know. - Thanks
1999 ALFRED AWARDS
-------------------
Voting for the 1999 ALFRED AWARDS is still under way. If
you didn't get the e-mail with the list of categories, please let me know and
I'll send you a copy. Thanks to those people who've already cast their vote.
And please feel free to forward it to any other "on-line" Batfans
that you know.
One title and character is already well ahead in the
voting, and it isn't who you'd think. So if you want to see your favorites win
- don't forget to vote, vote, vote !
Have a great week.
Alan J. Porter
PO Box 527
Millersville
MD 21108
USA
New e-mail: [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE OF GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS:
=====================================
Comics Shipping Next Week
Comics News
Comics Sales Charts
TV Show Schedules
TV News
Movie News
On-Line Happenings
Batman Fanzines
Meet The Bat-Team
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (November 17th)
***************************************
BATMAN #573
Written by Greg Rucka; art by Sergio Cariello and Mark Pennington;
cover by Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen
More is revealed about "No Man's Land"'s secret
benefactor in Part 1 of the 2-part "Shellgame." Will this mysterious
figure prove to be the greatest enemy Batman faces this year? The rebuilding of
Gotham City Forces the Joker and Harley Quinn to step back into the spotlight
and sabotage the efforts of Gotham's savior, while Pettit and the Strong Men
prepare to save the city through extreme measures of their own. (32 pages,
$1.99)
BATMAN: DARK VICTORY #2
Written by Jeph Loeb; art and cover by Tim Sale.
Only one person survived a murder attempt by the holiday
killer. Was that just an accident or does the man in question -- the Riddler --
know more than he's telling? Now the villain is on the run from Batman as last
issue's terrifying murder begs the question: Is Holiday at it again? Batman
needs answers before another victim falls. (32 pages, $2.95.)
BATMAN: WAR ON CRIME OVERSIZED SC
Written by Paul Dini; painted art and cover by Alex Ross.
Batman: War on Crime finds the Dark Knight questioning
the true nature of the evil he has dedicated himself to eradicating -- crime
itself -- taking him from Gotham City's grimmest alleys to its shining
corporate towers. (64 pages, 10 inches by 13-1/2 inches, $9.95.)
BATMAN: STRANGE APPARITIONS TP
Written by Steve Englehart and Len Wein; art by Marshall
Rogers, Walter Simonson, Terry Austin, Al Milgrom, and Dick Giordano; cover by
Rogers and Austin.
Reprinting Detective Comics #469-479, Batman: Strange
Apparitions finds the Dark Knight's relationship with Gotham City's government
-- presided over by the corrupt "Boss&" Rupert Thorne -- at an
all-time low. With little help from the GCPD, Batman faces an array of
incredible foes, including Dr. Phosphorus (in his first appearance), the Joker,
Clayface, Professor Hugo Strange (who haunts Thorne after the boss orders his
execution) and Deadshot, the deadly marksman whose battle with Batman atop a
giant typewriter is one of the best-remembered sequences in either character's
history. These stunningly rendered issues (inked by Terry Austin, Al Milgrom
and Dick Giordano) also showcase Bruce Wayne's romance with Silver St. Cloud,
the enchanting woman who discovers the secret identity of her true love. (176
pages, $12.95.)
COMICS NEWS
*************
STEVE ENGLEHART RETURNS TO THE JOKERFISH & CREATES
NEW MAD HATTER
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Steve Englehart, writer of one of the classic Batman
stories from the 1970s is revisiting the Batman universe in a unique way early
next year, writing Legends of the DC Universe #26 and 27.
"It's based on a very canny Mike Carlin question:
'What did Aquaman think about the Jokerfish?'" Englehart told The Comics
Continuum web-site. "So it takes place immediately following the Detective
(Comics) run from 1977. Now, according to current DC retconning, that was
actually 10 years ago, at the dawn of the DCU. It was an interesting exercise,
because the Joker convinces Aquaman the fish are an homage to him because he's
so popular on land. Trevor Von Eeden and Joe Rubenstein did the art, which I
liked a lot."
Englehart is also writing a two-part Batman story - to be
drawn by Von Eeden - that will feature a new Mad Hatter that he has created.
"This new Mad Hatter has nail-like brain stimulators he nails into
people's skulls, topped with a little cowboy hat for boys and a little nurse's
cap for girls," Englehart said. "That story will be out next spring,
and the plan is to make it part one of a Mad Hatter trilogy -- in other words,
a Mad Hatter hat trick."
CRIME NOIR ELSEWORLDS
--------------------
Later next year, crime writer Ed Brubaker' debut Batman
Elseworlds book will be published. "It's a gritty crime noir starring
James Gordon as a washed-up drunken ex-cop," Brubaker said. "It's an
homage to 40s noir films like DOA and Kiss of Death. I based the plot on three
actual crimes in Manhattan from the 30s and 40s and strung them together into a
real tough guy on the run mystery. My uncle, John Paxton, was a famous noir
screenwriter, and this is sort of a tribute to him." The artist on the 64
page one-shot will be Sean Phillips.
COMICS SALES CHARTS
********************8
BATMAN related titles achieved the following positions in
the Direct Market sales charts for issues cover dated DECEMBER 1999. (Source:
Comics International #113)
5 - JLA #36 (down
2) 80,700 copies ordered.
Less than 65,000 copies ordered
17 - Batman: Dark Victory #1 (NEW)
23 - Batman #572 (up 3)
Less than 50,000 copies ordered
24 - Detective #739 (up 6)
27 - Batman: No Man's Land #0 (NEW)
31 - Shadow Of The Bat #92 (up 10)
32 - Legends Of The Dark Knight #124 (up 8)
33 - Nightwing #38 (up 10)
Less than 40,000 copies ordered.
61 - Batman & Superman: World's Finest #9 (up 8)
62 - Robin #71 (up 21)
62 - Batman: Non Man's Land Secret Files (NEW)
68 - JLA Primeval (NEW)
72 - Catwoman #74 (up 22)
74 - Young Justice #15 (up 8)
85 - Batman/Tarzan #2 (up 3)
91 - Azrael #59 (up 10)
Below 100 (Less than 30,000 copies ordered)
Birds Of Prey #12
Batman Beyond #4
Batman: Gotham Adventures #19
The average chart position for the 9 regular Batman
titles for December 1999 was 41 (The best since April 1998)
The ACP for the Bat titles so far this year are Jan: 61,
Feb: 68, Mar 54, Apr 54, May 56, June 50, July 55, August 48, September 51,
October 48, November 51.
The Bat books finish the year with an overall ACP of 54,
one position down on last year.
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
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BATMAN MOVIES ON TV
--------------------
TBS will replay Batman & Robin, the 1997 film
starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Clooney, on Saturday 11/13 at 8:05
p.m
BATMAN BEYOND
---------------
The second season of the new futuristic look at the world
of the new Dark Knight premiers soon at 9.00am (ET) Saturdays on the KidsWB!
11/12/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Hidden Agenda"
11/13/99 (9:00 am) -- "Hooked Up" NEW EPISODE
11/15/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Dead Man's Hand"
11/17/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Gotham Golem"
11/19/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Splicers"
11/20/99 (9:00 pm) -- "Rats" NEW EPISODE
In Canada Batman Beyond can be found on YTV airing at
2.30pm Saturdays and Sundays.
In Belgium Batman Beyond shown on Sunday mornings on the
cable channel VT4
NEW BATMAN / SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
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The new season of Batman/ Superman Adventures is now on
the WB Network Scheduled times are posted as Monday through Friday at 4:00 and
4:30pm; NOTE ADDITIONAL EPISODE now on Saturdays at 8:00, and 8:30am Eastern
and Pacific Time on the Kids' WB! ... But DON'T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL
LISTINGS FOR EXACT TIMES IN YOUR AREA
11/12/99 (4:00 pm) -- "The Demon Reborn"
(Superman episode featuring Batman & Ra's al Ghul)
11/13/99 (8:00 am) -- "Mad Love"
11/15/99 (3:30 pm) -- "Growing Pains"
11/16/99 (3:30 pm) -- "Over the Edge"
11/17/99 (3:30 pm) -- "Knight Time" (Superman
as Batman)
11/18/99 (3:30 pm) -- "Torch Song"
11/20/99 (8:00 pm) -- "Mean Seasons"
NOTE: Shows #1 - 85 are the classic "Batman: The
Animated Series" style. Shows #86 onwards are the "New
Adventures" style.
In Canada The New Batman / Superman Adventures can be
found on YTV at 7.30 am ( all time zones). For a weekly schedule check out
http://www.ytv.com
The Irish TV station RTE2 broadcasts The New Batman
Adventures on Tuesdays around 5pm and on Fridays at 5.30pm
In Belgium The New Batman Adventures is shown on Saturday
mornings on the cable channel VT4
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
----------------------------
The Cartoon Network is running selected episodes airing
Monday through Friday at 6.00 pm Eastern & Pacific time.
From Brian Davis comes news that Batman is back on the
Cartoon Network, Europe every day at 7pm UK Time.
In Italy Batman: The Animated Series shows on Italia Uno
at 2.00pm (Alternating with The Simpsons !)
SUPER-FRIENDS
-------------
On the Cartoon Network (USA)
SUNDAY 1:00-2:00 am & 1:00-2:00 pm
Several GWN readers have also reported that showing at
4.30pm (EST) weekdays are a variety of Super-Hero related cartoons including
episodes of SUPERFRIENDS and the old 1970's vintage BATMAN shows.
BATMAN - 1960s TV SHOW
-----------------------
The Canadian cable channel Space! is showing selected episodes from the
classic Adam West TV show. At 1.30pm (EDT) Monday thru Friday.
Fri 11/12 - (season 2/show 24) "The Joker's
Provokers" - Joker
Mon 11/15 - (2/25) "Green Ice" - Mr. Freeze
Tue 11/16 - (2/26) "Deep Freeze" - Mr. Freeze
Wed 11/17 - (2/27) "Marsha Queen of Diamonds" -
Marsha
Thu 11/18 - (2/28) "Marsha Scheme/Diamonds" -
Marsha
Fri 11/19 - (2/29) "Come Back Shame" - Shame
The European satellite channel "Trouble" also
airs the 1960's show at 7am and 11am every morning.
In Italy the classic series can be found on daily on
"Canal Jimmy" (a satellite network dedicated to cult films &
television) at 10.15 A.M.
TV NEWS
**********
BATMAN AND SUPERMAN CUT IN HALF
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Zentertainment reports, "KIDS WB!'s NEW BATMAN AND
SUPERMAN ADVENTURES is now only airing for a half-hour on weekdays, in the new
timeslot of 3:30pm. POKEMON has moved to 4pm, and the 4:30 timeslot is occupied
by BATMAN BEYOND on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and MEN IN BLACK on Tuesday
and Thursday."
ANNIE AWARDS
------------
The Animation world's "Annie" Awards were
announced on Noveber 7th. Among the winners was THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES,
which took home the award for Best Production Design for THE LEGENDS OF THE
DARK KNIGHT episode.
UK BATMAN 60th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
------------------------------------
The UK satellite "shopping cahnnel" QVC will
hold a special show celebrating the 60th Anniversary of The Dark Knight"
at 11.00pm on November 13th and 15th.
MOVIE NEWS
***********
MATRIX TEAM TURN DOWN THE BAT
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The Daily Buzz reports that The Wachowski brother,
directors of The Matrix, reportedly turned down a chance to do the next Batman
movie because of their work on Matrix sequels.
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
WEB SITE NEWS
----------------
A new Batman Fanfic called Batman Legacy of the Dark
Knight has been posted at the "DC Future Shock" site.
www.slayerfanfic.com/dcfs/
BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
---------------------------
Batman Animated Newsletter - Tim Leighton
([email protected])
Claw Marks: The Catwoman Fan Club Newsletter - Lynx
Delirium
Batman UK - Monthly Newsletter - Brian Davis
(http://members.aol.com/BDavis2613/mailer.html)
BATMAN FANZINES
****************
BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS PRICE GUIDE
---------------------------------
A must for any serious Batman collector. To find out more
either check out the web-site (http://www.btcpg.com ) or e-mail editor John
Mack [email protected] -AVAILABLE NOW New
Edition with a look at the BATMAN BEYOND action figures.
UNOFFICIAL BATMAN ANIMATED FAN-CLUB
-------------------------------------
The club will consist of a fanzine - 'a fan made
magazine'
with news, reviews, artwork and basically all that we can
stuff in related
to Batman, Batman Beyond and Bruce Timm's amazing
artwork. The club is non-profit making (ie - you only pay for paper and ink
costs) based in the UK but USA members are welcome too. If you would like more
information please send your name, address, phone number and e-mail to
[email protected]
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
COLUMBUS OH - November 27-28
----------------------------
The Mid-Ohio-Con (http://www.midohioncon.com )celebrates
its 20th Anniversary this year at the Adam's Mark Hotel. Guests include TERRY
BEATTY, DAN BRERETON, MARK WAID and TONY ISABELLA
====================================================================
HOW TO ORDER OUR NEW BATMAN BOOK
********************************
"THE UNAUTHORIZED BATMAN COLLECTORS GUIDE" by Alan J. Porter
The most comprehensive guide to Batman comics and
collectibles ever collected between
two covers.
160 Pages
294 Photographs
6000 Items Listed
8 1/2" x 11" - Soft Cover.
ISBN 0-7643-0683-9
$30.00
With over 6000 items listed, this is the most
comprehensive guide to Batman comics and collectibles ever assembled between
two covers. Nearly 300 photographs accompany the informative articles and price
guide listings. Highlights include a comics section which lists every comic
book in which Batman has appeared from his debut in 1939 to the end of 1997,
plus a figures section which lists all of the various Batman action figures.
Covering everything from Artwork to Videos, and price ranges from 15c to
$150,000, this book is a must for any Batfan.
As a special offer to GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS subscribers, you
can order a signed copy from the author.
Send a check / money order for $30.00* (US Dollars),
along with your mailing address to:
Alan J. Porter
Batman Guide
PO Box 527
Millersville
MD 21108
* US orders postage free.
* MD residents please add 5% sales tax.
* Overseas orders add $5.00
Unsigned copies can be ordered via Credit Card from
either http://www.BarnesAndNoble.com or http://www.Borders.com
Sample pages can be found on the web at
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp/book.htm
=============================================================================
Sources used in compiling GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS
- DC Comics
On-Line Newsletter (http://www.dccomics.com/newsletter.html )
- Diamond Previews
(http://www.diamondcomics.com )
- WB Animation Web
Page (http://www.wbanimation.com)
- Space ! Weekly
Schedules Web Page (http://205.250.106.39/schedule/ )
- Comics Continuum
(http://comicscontinuum.com/index.htm)
- Newsrama
(http://www.anotheruniverse.com/newsarama/index.html)
- WB Cartoon
Episode Schedules (http://www.toonzone.net/brian/index.html )
- Comics2Film
(http://www.comics2film.com )
- Dark Horizons
(http://www.darkhorizons.com/news.htm )
GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS is a FOREST COMICS Publication.
FOREST COMICS is (c) and TM - Alan J. Porter (1994 - 1999)
"GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS", "GOTHAM GAZETTE -
The BATMAN Magazine On the Web" and "THE UNAUTHORIZED BATMAN COLLECTORS
GUIDE" are not affiliated to, or endorsed by, either Warner Bros. or DC
Comics.
BATMAN and all related characters and indicia are
acknowledged as Trademark and copyright DC Comics Inc..
BATMAN created by Bob Kane & Bill Finger
If you no longer wish to receive GWN or have been sent a
copy in error just send an e-mail to [email protected] with the words
"unsubscribe GWN" in the subject line.