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GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #109
Friday
24th December 1999
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WELCOME
==========
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
------------------
GWN is a day early this week due to the upcoming
Christmas holiday. I'd like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a HAPPY
HOLIDAYS and a hope you all have a great time.
BATMAN APPEARANCE LISTING HAS NEW HOME
----------------------------------------
Following my decision to suspend the regular updates to
GOTHAM GAZETTE, Jim Demes has kindly volunteered to take on the time-consuming
task of keeping the BATMAN COMICS APPEARANCE listing updated.
Jim now hosts the list at http://udel.edu/~demes/batapps.htm
and has updated it to cover all appearances by Batman in US Comics upto January
2000.
BATMAN BEYOND VIDEO WEB-SITE
----------------------------------------------
Warner Bros have recently opened a new official web site
devoted to the upcoming BATMAN BEYOND video collections and information about
the upcoming RETURN OF THE JOKER animated movie. Check it out at
http://www.batmanbeyondvideo.com/
1999 ALFRED AWARDS - CLOSING SOON
-----------------------------------------
Next Week is the last week for voting in the 1999 ALFRED
AWARDS. 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 The Newsstands
In The Stores
On-Line Happenings
Batman Fanzines
Meet The Bat-Team
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (December 29th)
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BATMAN: HAUNTED GOTHAM #1
Written by Doug Moench; art and cover by Kelley Jones and
John Beatty.
Elseworlds. An all-too-human Bruce Wayne must face a
Gotham full of supernatural creatures in a miniseries from the writer/penciller
team behind the Batman "Vampire Trilogy." (48 pages, $4.95).
COMICS NEWS
*************
JLA#41 CHANGE
---------------
DC Comics has announced a correction to its solicitation
information for JLA #41 which was posted in last week's GWN (#109). Instead of
being part six of seven of "World War III" story arc, the issue will
be an extra-sized issue conclusion to the arc.
Here's how DC now describes the book.
"It's humanity's last stand in the extra-sized
conclusion of Grant Morrison's ultimate JLA story, 'World War III.' With
Superman trapped within the warbringer Mageddon, Green Lantern attempts to
wrest control of his ring from the ultimate annihilator. As the rest of Earth's
heroes desperately try to quell conflicts around the globe, will even the
intervention of the New Gods be enough to save humanity?"
JLA #41 will be 48 pages and will cost $2.99. It will
ship on March 29.
DC ANNOUNCES DESIGN CHANGES TO COVERS
---------------------------------------
DC Comics has announced that it is making modifications
to the trade dress of its comic-book covers beginning in January. The primary
change will be that the Universal Price Code (UPC) box will be made slightly
larger to include the cover price, which will now appear in the UPC box only.
Other changes will include a repositioning of the DC
Bullet logo, movement of the Comics Code Authority seal to the box containing
the issue number, and either the DC Comics or WildStorm Productions web site
addresses being added to the cover near the UPC box. Credits will apparently
remain on the covers.
BRERETON ON JLA
----------------
Dan Brereton, artist on the excellent THRILKILLER
Elseworlds tales has announced that his next project will be a JLA story called
"Seven Caskets", a 48-page one-shot
COMICS SALES CHARTS
********************
BATMAN related titles achieved the following positions in
the Direct Market sales charts for issues cover dated JANUARY 2000. (Source:
Comics International #114 & Wizard #101)
5 - JLA #37 (=)
78,900 copies ordered.
Less than 65,000 copies ordered
20 - Batman #573 (up 3)
24 - Detective #740 (=)
25 - Batman: Dark Victory #2 (down 8)
Less than 50,000 copies ordered
28 - Legends Of The Dark Knight #125 (up 4)
32 - Shadow Of The Bat #93 (down 1)
33 - Nightwing #39 (=)
Less than 40,000 copies ordered.
51 - Batman/Daredevil (NEW)
70 - Batman & Superman: World's Finest #10 (down 9)
72 - Robin #72 (down 10)
74 - Catwoman #75 (down 2)
77 - Young Justice #16 (down 3)
Less than 30,000 copies ordered
88 - Batman Chronicles #19 (down 9)
96 - Azrael #60 (down 5)
98 - Batman/Tarzan #3 (down 8)
Below 100
Birds Of Prey #13
Batman Beyond #5
Batman: Gotham Adventures #20
The average chart position for the 9 regular Batman
titles for January 2000 was 43 (Down 2 from the Dec 99 figure)
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
BATMAN BEYOND
---------------
The second season of the new futuristic look at the world
of the new Dark Knight is underway at 9.00am (ET) Saturdays on the KidsWB!
12/25/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Ascension"
12/26/99 (9:00 am) -- "Disappearing Inque"
12/27/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Gotham Golem"
12/31/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Once Burned"
1/1/00 (9:00 am) -- "Hooked Up"
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
----------------------------------
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
12/24/99 (3:30 pm) -- "Holiday Knights"
12/26/99 (8:00 am) -- "Animal Act"
12/27/99 (3:30 pm) -- "The Ultimate Thrill"
12/28/99 (3:30 pm) -- "Shadow of the Bat - Part
1"
12/28/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Shadow of the Bat - Part
2"
12/29/99 (4:30 pm) -- "Joker's Millions"
12/30/99 (3:30 pm) -- "Sins of the Father"
12/30/99 (4:30 pm) -- "The Demon Reborn"
(Superman episode featuring Batman and Ra's Al Ghul)
12/31/99 (3:30 pm) -- "A Bullet for Bullock"
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
In Italy The New Batman Adventures are now on Canale 5
every Saturday and Sunday at 11.00am
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
----------------------------
The Cartoon Network is running selected episodes airing
Monday through Friday at 6.00 pm Eastern & Pacific time.
Carl Pickles wrote to say that Batman is now on the
Cartoon Network, Europe every day at the new time of 9pm UK Time.
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 12/24 - (season 2/show 54) "Caught in Spider's
Den" - Black Widow
Mon 12/27 - (2/55) "King Tut's Coup" - King Tut
Tue 12/28 - (2/56) "Batman's Waterloo" - King
Tut
Wed 12/29 - (2/57) "Pop Goes the Joker" - Joker
Thu 12/30 - (2/58) "Flop Goes the Joker" -
Joker
Fri 12/31 - (2/59) "Ice Spy Mr. Freeze" - Mr.
Freeze
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
********
WB SCORES TOPS RATINGS - AGAIN
-------------------------------
Kids' WB! again topped the Saturday morning ratings on
Dec. 11. The network had a 4.2 rating and 18 share. Fox Kids was second at
2.9/13, with ABC at 2.9/12.
BRUCE WAYNE FIGHTS TV BATTLE ?
------------------------------
Harry Knowles reports on the "Ain't-It-Cool
News" site that rumors are around that certain factions at WB are trying
to stall the Bruce Wayne TV show before it gets started. Apparently there are
concerns that it would divert attention, budget and focus away from any
upcoming Movie project.
MOVIE NEWS
************
MORE DETAILS ON BATMAN BEYOND FEATURE
-----------------------------
Paul Dini, producer of the Batman Beyond animated series
on Kids' WB!, provided The Comics Continuum web-site with first details of
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, a straight-to-video movie from Warner Bros.
scheduled for a Nov. 7, 2000 release.
"Mark Hamill is back playing several key roles, one
of which is, of course, the Joker, who has miraculously turned up in the time
of Batman Beyond," Dini told The Continuum. "The other role is sort
of a surprise, and that's all I'll say about it now.
"I will say that for long-time Bat-fans, this is the
big story they've been demanding for two years, bridging the gap between the
classic Batman Animated series and Batman Beyond. Nearly a fourth of the film
is a flashback which shows the classic Bat-team in action, dealing with a
problem that is not fully resolved until Terry McGinnis enters the picture
decades later.
"Throughout the film a number of secrets will be
revealed, including what happened to Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing, as well as
the details of that fateful night years before when the first Batman fought the
Joker one last time.
"Fans will also learn secrets about Terry's past and
his reason for continuing to be Batman long after he's avenged his father's
death. In addition to this, we've got a bunch of new villains, appearances by a
few old ones and many more surprises."
Dini, who wrote the script for Batman Beyond: Return of
the Joker, told The Continuum that voice recording for the movie has been
completed.
"One bit of guest-star news I can give you is that
among the many new villains introduced in the film are twin hit-girls both
named Dee-Dee," Dini said. "They are played by everyone's favorite
teen witch, Melissa Joan Hart."
Hart, the star of ABC's Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, has
worked with the Bat-crew before. She did the voice of Saturn Girl in an episode
of Superman.
Look for more details on Batman Beyond: Return of the
Joker in future Continuum reports.
AFFLECK RUMOR GOES MAINSTREAM
------------------------------
The mainstream media have picked up on a rumor about
Batman 5 that we reported here back in October.
The edition of American TV's Entertainment Tonight for December 21st
reported that Ben Affleck is the lead contender to take over the Bat cowl in
the upcoming fifth feature film. He has long been the lead contender for a Batman:
Year One style movie.
ON THE NEWSSTANDS
******************
MORE CBG CENTURY VOTES
-------------------------
Comic Buyers Guide continues its run down of Favorite
Comics and Creators of the last Century.
CBG #1361 spotlights the Favorite PAINTER with ALEX ROSS
as the landslide victor in all voting categories.
CBG #1363 highlights the Favorite GRAPHIC NOVELs with
BATMAN: DARK KNIGHT RETURNS at #2. Other Bat books that rate a mention are
Kingdom Come, The Killing Joke, Son Of The Demon and Arkham Asylum
WIZARD #101 - February 2000
-----------------------------
"Preview 2000" takes a look at what's in store
for the Bat comics next year.
"Coming Attractions" recycles most of the last
12 months rumors about the future of the Batman movie franchise and presents it
as news. (Incidentally without crediting a single source.)
"Basic Training" has Bret Blevins showing how
to draw in the "WB Animated Style"
IN THE STORES
***************
BURGER KING PRMOTION - OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMNT
------------------------------------------
Burger King has announced the eight toys that will
accompany its Batman Beyond Kids' Meal promotion, which starts Jan. 3 and runs
for five weeks.
The eight toys include Action Wing Batman, J-Man Getaway,
Indelible Inque, Batarang Batman, Enemy Blight on the Glow, Bat-Signal Spinner,
Voice of Justice Batman and Batmobile Blast-Off. One toy will be placed in
every kid's meal.
The Batman Beyond promotion will follow a successful
Pokemon promotion by Burger King.
"Warner Bros. has been a valued promotional partner
that consistently brings us terrific program opportunities that appeal to kids
of all ages," said Richard Taylor, vice-president, marketing, for Burger
King. "Batman Beyond is a perfect fit for our hugely successful Burger
Kings Big Kids Meal program."
Burger King said it will be supporting the Batman Beyond
promotion with both print and broadcast advertising, Internet support and
"in-store signage."
"Batman Beyond is one of the hottest animated series
on television and is consistently one of the highest-rated Saturday morning
shows on Kids' WB!" said Joel Ehrlich, senior vice-president of promotions
for DC Comics and Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "We are thrilled to team
up with Burger King for this kid's meal promotion. The toys look great and
capture the energy and the colorful nature of the series' characters."
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
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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 (i.e. - 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
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ORLANDO FL - March 31st-April 2nd
---------------------------------
MEGA-CON 2000 (www.megaconvention.com) will be held at
the Orlando Expo Center between March 31st and April 2nd. Featured guests so
far include DICK AYERS and DICK GIORDANO.
====================================================================
HOW TO ORDER OUR OWN 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
=============================================================================
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.