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         GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS #124

         Friday 31st March 2000

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Welcome to another issue of GWN. We are a little early this week as I’m off to spend a long weekend with friends.

 

There won’t be a GWN next week as I’m on a short vacation, but we will be back on Friday 14th April.

 

As always, have a great week.

 

Alan J. Porter

PO Box 527

Millersville

MD 21108

USA

 

E-mail: [email protected]

 

IN THIS ISSUE OF GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS:

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Comics Shipping Next Week

Comics News

TV Show Schedules

TV News

In The Stores

Meet The Bat-Team

On-Line Happenings

Fanzines & Fan-Clubs

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THIS WEEK IN BAT HISTORY

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Detective Comics #27 featuring the first appearance of Batman was published on April 6th 1939.

 

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COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (April 5th)

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BATGIRL #3

Written by Kelley Puckett and Scott Peterson; art and cover by Damion Scott and Robert Campanella

Batman guest-stars as Batgirl -- Gotham's newest protector -- faces her first super-human opponent. His name is Meta. He's a criminal enforcer and he's the one thing standing between Batgirl and a frightened kidnapped child. How will the silent heroine conquer her greatest challenge to date? (32 pages, $2.50, ships on April 5.)

 

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #25

Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry Beatty; cover by Rick Burchett and Beatty.

The Flash pays an unexpected visit to Batman's city, but Batman's not the best representative for Gotham's welcome wagon. While Batman tries to persuade the Flash to "mosey," the Scarlet Speedster is offering his assistance in stopping a computer terrorist. Will our heroes put aside their differences in time to stop the high-tech hoodlum?

(32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 5. )

 

BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #130

Written by Dennis O'Neil; art by Sergio Cariello and Matt Ryan; painted cover by Hugh Fleming.

Part 4 of a 5-part story revealing how Batman and Green Arrow Oliver Queen first met. Everywhere Oliver Queen goes he senses he's not alone. Is this some sad, paranoid fantasy? Or is Percibah Skave's so-called ultimate archer on the verge of making his move to rid the world of Green Arrow? Meanwhile, playboy Bruce Wayne bides his time in fancy Gotham City restaurants. What gives? (32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 5. )

 

JLA #41

"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 April 5.

 

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COMICS NEWS

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BRUBAKER BEGINS BREAKING DOWN THE BAT

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by Michael Doran, (Newsarama)

Writer Ed Brubaker, who takes over as Batman scribe for six issues following June’s exit of Larry Hama, told Newsarama that he’s begun work on his story arc, entitled Fearless. Explained the writer, “It's a two-part/issue story that is a combination heist/redemption tale, and it will introduce a new villain, and an old friend of Bruce Wayne's (two different people, by the way) Also, the Penguin will have a minor role in these issues.

“It’s a story about Batman trying to save somebody from their own destruction, and goes to the heart of who Batman is and why he does what he does,” Brubaker continued. “I was lucky enough to get this story approved, because it is everything I wanted to do with my opening issues. It'll really give me a chance to get a feel for the book, while letting me do what I do best, which is characterization and motivation. And I will also get a good learning experience, trying to take this story and make it fun for Scott McDaniel to draw.

“I must confess that I'm actually starting to get excited about the fact that I'm writing Batman, it's a weird idea once it sinks in. I have definitely got a better grasp on this whole thing now, though, after many phone calls with Bob Schreck and a lot of bouncing ideas with Brian Vaughan, who has been really helpful.”

And while Fearless will be the first Brubaker Batman story fans will read, it won’t be the first he’s written. Brubaker has already completed the script for a 64-page Elseworlds graphic novel entitled Batman: Gotham Noir that Wildcats artist Sean Phillips will illustrate.

A 1940’s period piece, the story focus on Jim Gordon, as a shell-shocked World War II vet who has washed out of the police force. “It's a tribute to Noir films, in general, as well as a chance to take those themes and structures, and apply them to the Batman world,” explained the writer. “It plays up Gotham as a corrupt city, and I actually based a lot of this on real Manhattan history. I just always wanted to do one of those, ‘man on the run in a corrupt town’ stories that they did so well in the ‘40s and ‘50s. And of course, there's a mysterious creature of the night running around in there, too.”

“I just received the first batch of pencils from Sean Phillips, and they blew me away. His intuitive method of breaking down the script was the perfect match for me, and he's really giving it that cinematic feel, lots of wide shots and lots of tiny quick close-ups. It really feels right.”

Due to Phillips Wildcats commitment, Brubaker reports the project will probably be published sometime in early 2001.

 

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TV SHOW SCHEDULES

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BATMAN BEYOND

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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!

 

3/31/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Hidden Agenda"

4/1/00 (10:30 pm) -- "The Eggbaby"

4/3/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Spellbound"

4/7/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Joyride"

4/8/00 (10:30 pm) -- "Zeta" – NEW EPISODE

 

From Brian Davis comes news that Batman Beyond is airing in the UK on ITV every Sunday at 9.25am (starting January 2nd). In the UK the show has been renamed 'Batman of the Future'.

 

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

 

In Holland Batman Beyond is shown on RTL4 at 9.05am every Sunday.

 

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

 

4/1/00 (8:00 pm) -- "The Demon Reborn"

(Superman / Batman vs Ra’s Al Ghul)

4/3/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Cult of the Cat"

4/4/00 (3:30 pm) -- "House and Garden"

4/5/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Baby-Doll"

4/5/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Love is a Croc"

4/6/00 (3:30 pm) -- "The Ultimate Thrill"

4/7/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Chemistry"

 

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 Adventures can be found on YTV at 12 noon ( 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

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The Cartoon Network is running selected episodes airing Monday through Friday at 6.00 pm Eastern & Pacific time.

 

Batman the Animated Series is on Cartoon Network in Australia from April 3rd at 7.00am and 5.00pm weekdays.

 

SUPER-FRIENDS

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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

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The Canadian cable channel Space! is showing selected episodes from the classic Adam West TV show. At 1.30pm (EDT) Monday thru Friday.

 

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.

 

In Holland Adam West and crew can be found on RTL4 at 12.50 on Wednesday afternoons.

 

In Germany the show can be found on a local Berlin station each Saturday of 8.00 - 8,25 o'clock. And Sundays from 7.30 - 7.55 o'clock

 

In the UK the classic show will be shown on Granada Plus at 8:30am every day from Monday 17th April, with double-bills onSaturdays at 6pm from Saturday 22nd April.

 

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TV NEWS

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BATMAN TV WRITER DIES

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The Washington Post reported this week that Stanley Ralph Ross, script writer for the 1960s Batman ABC television series, died, aged 64,  Thursday, March 16, of cancer in Los Angeles. In addition to his Batman work Ross  worked on shows such as Wonder Woman and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. . Ross also worked as an actor during his 30 years in Hollywood appearing in Woody Allen’s “Sleeper”.

 

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IN THE STORES

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CATWOMAN SWINGS IN FOR XMAS

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Hallmark has announced that among this year’s collectible Christmas ornaments will be a Silver Age version of everyone’s favorite feline, Catwoman.

 

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MEET THE BAT-TEAM

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ORLANDO FL - March 31st-April 2nd

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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, DICK GIORDANO and SHELDON MOLDOFF. Also attending will be Batman Licensed products artist AL BIGLEY.

 

OAKLAND CA – April 7-9 2000

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WONDERCON (www.wondercon.com) will be held at the Oakland Convention Center at 1001 Broadway in Oakland CA between April 7th and 9th. Guests include DAN BRERETON, PAUL DINI, STEVE ENGLEHART, JOE GIELLA, FRANK MILLER, SHELDON MOLDOFF, GREG RUCKA, TIM SALE, JULIE SCHWARTZ, BRUCE TIMM, MARK WAID and TV’s Batgirl YVONNE CRAIG.

 

NOVI MI – May 19-21 2000

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The MOTOR CITY COMIC CON (www.motorcityconventions.com) will be held on the wekend of May 19th to 21st at the Novi Expo Center. Guests include DAN BRERETON, SHELDON MOLDOFF and GREG RUCKA

 

NEW YORK NY – June 9-11 2000

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The “All Time Classic NY Comic Book Convention” (www.diamondcollectiblesny.com/atc) will be held at the Westchester County Center between June 9th and 11th. Guests include CARMINE INFANTINO, IRV NOVICK, JULIE SCHWARTZ and SHELDON MOLDOFF.

 

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ON-LINE HAPPENINGS

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APRIL'S DC MILLENNIUM EDITION ONLINE VOTING STARTED

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DC has started the sixth round of online voting for their Millennium Editions Readers Choice program. As always, ballots can be found on the DC website at www.dccomics.com .

This month’s BATMAN related choices are:

 - BATMAN #251 - Written by Denny O'Neil; art and cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano. This 1973 issue featured the Joker in the classic "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" which saw the return of the Clown Prince of Crime's darker, more homicidal tendencies in a story written by Denny O'Neil and illustrated by Neal Adams & Dick Giordano.

 - BATMAN #428 - Written by Jim Starlin; art by Jim Aparo and Mike DeCarlo; cover by Mike Mignola. Reprinting the controversial 1988 issue that saw the second Robin, Jason Todd, die based on the results of a phone-in poll.

 - BRAVE & BOLD #85 - Written by Bob Haney; art and cover by Neal Adams. Batman and Green Arrow teamed up in this 1969 issue that featured the first appearance of the bearded, new-costume-wearing archer, illustrated by classic GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW artist Neal Adams.

 - TALES OF TEEN TITANS #44 - Written by Marv Wolfman; art and cover by George Perez and Romeo Tanghal. Former Robin Dick Grayson made his debut as a new hero -- Nightwing -- in this pivotal 1984 issue that featured the origin of the voiceless Teen Titan named Jericho and his father, the assassin known as Deathstroke.

 

CATCH UP ON THE GOTHAM GAZETTE FAN-FICS

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Since the GOTHAM GAZETTE web-site went into hiatus I’ve had several e-mails from GWN readers asking where they can find the excellent fanfic stories we used to run. Well writer Lee Barnett now has them posted on his own website at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/budgie so click on by and check them out.

 

NEW BATMAN DISCUSSION LIST

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BATSIGNAL a new Batman on-line discussion group has been launched at http://www.onelist.com/community/BatSignal

 

BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS

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Batman Animated Newsletter - Tim Leighton ([email protected])

Claw Marks: The Catwoman Fan Club Newsletter - Lynx Delirium

http://clawmarks.homepage.com/main.html

Batman UK - Monthly Newsletter – Brian Davis (www.batmanuk.freeserve.co.uk/batmanuk/)

 Batman: Defender Of Gotham weekly update – Dave Carroll (http://www.fandom.com/batman )

 

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BATMAN FANZINES & FAN-CLUBS

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(Know of any Batman related Fan-clubs that aren't listed ? Send me an e-mail at [email protected] with details. When contacting any of these clubs please mention GWN.)

 

KNIGHTHOOD OF THE BAT

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The Knighthood Of The Bat is an online ICQ based fan club which, through the use of ICQ members can contact each other and share in their common interest of Batman.  Check it out at the excellent Batman: Defender Of Gotham website at www.fandom.com/batman

 

BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS PRICE GUIDE

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Editor John Mack has announced that he has suspended publication of the BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS GUIDE. .

 

GREEN HORNET & BATMAN FAN & COLLECTORS CLUB

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$10 a year for a bi-monthly newsletter. Contact J. Washington III, 321 Gracie Road . Chesapeake VA 23325

 

HARLEY QUINN FAN CLUB

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Based in San Diego. For more info contact Mike at 4574 Mercurio St. San Diego CA 92130

 

LOYAL ORDER OF THE BAT

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Batman fan-club by mail discusses all versions of The Batman. $14 per year for a bi-monthly newsletter. Contact T.J. Jones. 1401 St Edwards Dr #157. Austin TX 78704

 

UNOFFICIAL BATMAN ANIMATED FAN-CLUB

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This club began in September and consists of a quartery 30 page newsletter which is mailed out - 'a fan made magazine' with news, reviews, guides, 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 printing costs) and it's made by fans for fans. Based in the UK but USA and other members are always welcome. If you would like more information on how to join please e-mail - [email protected] or for more info see website at http://www.batmanuk.freeserve.co.uk/club/

 

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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 

 

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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 - 2000)

 

"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.

 

 

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