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Hi folks. Lots of comics’ news this week, with details from
Frank Miller about his upcoming return to the Dark Knight.
On the movie front Batman 5 casting rumors have started to
circulate again.
And a special thanks this week to
those of you who e-mailed me on seeing that I’d had a letter published in
Gotham Adventures #16.
As always, have a great week. And for readers in the
Alan J. Porter
Millersville
MD 21108
E-mail: [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE OF
=====================================
Comics Shipping Next Week
Comics News
TV Show Schedules
TV News
Movie News
On The Road
Meet The Bat-Team
On-Line Happenings
Fanzines & Fan-Clubs
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (May 31st)
***************************************
THE BATMAN CHRONICLES #21
Written by the Pander Bros., Brian Michael Bendis and Jordan
B. Gorfinkel; art by the Pander Bros., Michael Gaydos, Dick Giordano, and Joe
Rubinstein; cover by the Pander Bros.
Three Elseworlds tales of the Dark
Knight. In a lead story written and illustrated by the Pander
Bros., a teenage club hopper from another dimension is accidentally transported
to a
BATMAN: IT'S JOKER TIME #1
Written, art and cover by Bob Hal.
In his first appearance in a Batman project since the
conclusion of "No Man's Land," the Joker takes center stage in a
three-issue Prestige Format miniseries that delves into the singular madness of
the Clown Prince of Crime. It's Joker Time finds three TV professionals about
to make the mistake of their careers...but they may not live long enough for it
to matter. When a talk-show host, his producer, and a fame-hungry psychologist
think psychoanalyzing the Joker on live television from an undisclosed location
will be the key to ratings success, no one, certainly not the Joker (still
recovering from his injuries in "Endgame"), is able to convince them
they're wrong. But no one asked Batman. The Dark Knight knows that not only
will the Joker outsmart the self-absorbed trio, he'll probably destroy them
entirely. But how can Batman come to the rescue when he doesn't know where they
are? (48 pages, $4.95)
BATMAN BEYOND #9
Written by Hilary J. Bader; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob
Leigh; cover by Ronnie DelCarmen.
Batman's intervention in a failed assasination puts him on
the trail of a group of young martial artists creating a ruckus in Gotham City.
Can Batman defeat their leader, Curare, the ultimate assassin? (32 pages,
$1.99)
CATWOMAN #82
Written by Bronwyn Carlton; art by Ron Randell, Wayne
Faucher and Rodney Ramos; cover by Staz Johnson and Faucher.
Catwoman gets out of solitary. Riding a wave of barely
contained rage at the world at large, it's payback time, starting with the
prison staff. But not everyone on the wrong side of the law shares Selina's
agenda, and the authorities are not the only ones whose blood will be spilled.
And if Catty makes it through this issue in one piece (and the odds aren't
good), she's going to find herself relying on the kindness of...well, readers
will have to see it for themselves. (32 pages, $1.99)
JOKER-MASK #1
By Henry Gilroy, Ramon Bachs and Howard Shum, cover by
Bachs.
What happens when Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime discovers a
thousand-year-old relic that will make him invincible? Unfortunately, Batman is
about to find out. Be there for the first meeting between two of comics'
greatest madmen, as the Joker and the Mask join forces (literally) to give the
Dark Knight a run for his money. Don't miss out on the mayhem. (32 pages,
$2.95, - Published by Dark Horse)
SILVER AGE 80-PAGE GIANT #1
Written by Mark Waid; art by Eduardo Barreto and various;
cover by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer
Even 36 super-heroes might not be enough to save the day in
this mammoth one-shot. In the 50-page lead story, a nasty betrayal leaves a
veritable army of heroes helpless. Can seven all-new, never-before-seen Silver
Age champions turn the tide? Rounding out the Special are all-new backup
features and faux "reprints" from the era. (80 pages, $5.95)
===========================================================
COMICS NEWS
***********
BRERETON PREVIEWS JLA: CASKET ARTWORK
--------------------------------------
Writer / Artist Dan Brereton has recently posted preview
artwork and details of his upcoming JLA project “JLA: 7 CASKETS” on his website
at www.nocturnals.com.
MILLER
TALKS MORE DARK KNIGHT 2 DETAILS
---------------------------------------------
by Michael Doran, Newsarama
(http://anotheruniverse.com/mania/)
Frank Miller has begun talking more about the upcoming Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
limited series. In an interview with Comics
Buyer’s Guide Editor Maggie Thompson in the June 2d (#1385) issue, Miller
explained the sequel to his landmark 1986 has been building in the back of his
head for a very long time, and now he’s ready to let it out. And while his
“pal", editor Bob Schreck, was instrumental in getting the project lined
up, Miller makes it “vehemently “clear to CBG the idea for the sequel was his.
“He [Schreck] asked me, Why not do it now”, Miller tells
CBG. “But my head didn’t hurt enough
yet. Part of me wanted to prove I didn’t need
to do it, professionally. Things have been going swell on Sin City and 300 and my
other projects. But mostly, I didn’t want to touch Batman again until I was hungry to. It wouldn’t have been much
fun - or fair to the readers – for me to re-visit batman with less than a full
head of steam. Now my fingers are twitching to draw it.”
Telling CBG the new story will involve a “fresh take” on the
main DC superheroes, the story takes places 3 years after the original, but
Bruce Wayne will look 10 years younger because he’s taken good care of himself
and he’s in a good state of mind – he’s gotten over the anger and grief over
the death of his parents 50 years before. And while there murder remains the single
most formative moment of his life, the grief and rage has turned to “virtuous
purpose”, making him “a purer hero than he’s ever been.”
“America has become what I can only call a kindler, gentler
fascist dictatorship,” Miller tells CBG. “The heroes has vanished; no one knows
where they have gone. And it’s up to the world’s greatest detective to find it
out – and to get them back into action.”
With the mutant gang members he took to the cave in the
original now trained as his troops, and Carrie – “the smartest of his troops” –
having graduated from being Robin to Catgirl, along the way he’ll inspire a
brand new, younger generation of would-be heroes. “You’ll see a lot of fresh
faces, along with the older ones.”
The whole story will in fact have a very different tone then
the original. While Miller’s reaction to the 1986 “deputized by law
enforcement” interpretation of the character, the “overall over sterilization
of the super-hero” at the time and his desire to make Batman scary again
resulted in what he calls a “glum, self-pitying Batman”, Miller recognizes this
is a different era. “I want to come back and show how snazzy this stuff can be.”
Miller is looking to capture the “luster” of a world where a
many can fly, another can run as fast as light, and elegant heroes with
“Aladdin lamps” exist. “DC’s mythology is rich, but it’s as if the pantheon got
sick. I want to make it healthy again.”
With that in mind, in addition to the return of Oliver Queen
and Superman in a “crucial role” (“We’ll understand why he’s going along with
this tyranny. His complicity is finally explained”), the series will also
feature appearances by Wonder Woman (on her island all these years, still
looking 25) The Flash, The Atom, Captain Marvel, the Martian Manhunter and The
Question – Ditko’s version, “without apology” – in another prominent role.
“Between his Ayn Randian Libertarianism, Ollie Queen’s rebel
Trotskyism and Batman’s near anarchism, they’ll be room for some jolly
political give-and-take among the heroes,” Miller tells CBG.
And in another interview with www.Wizardworld.com, Miller reveals Hal Jordan and Barry Allen will
appear in the new series, presumably in their GL and Flash identities, as the
“Dark Knight universe” is an Elseworlds. Miller also told Wizardworld he isn’t sure yet whether or not Dick Grayson will make
an appearance, and that a number of DC villains will also appear throughout the
story, but not they won’t be seen as bad guys, the world apparently sees them
as heroes.
Clearing his drawing board completely until he finishes it,
Miller says he and colorist Lynn Varley won’t schedule the series until their
schedule permits, and he expects it won’t be until early spring 2001 that he
has a good idea when it will be ready. “I’d love for it to come out in the
summer of 2001, but there’s not way I’m rushing it,” he told CBG. “I’m
lavishing love on it. I’ve got to do
this one – and do it right.”
GOLDEN STREETS OF GOTHAM
--------------------------
Movie storyboard artist Tommy Lee Edwards recently told The
Comics Continuum(http://comicscontinuum.com/index.htm) that he is drawing an
Elseworlds one-shot called Batman: Golden Streets of Gotham. "I've been
working on it a long time. I'm going to have it done in September." The 64-page story, written by Jan VanMeter,
will likely be published late this year or early next year. "It takes
place around the turn of the century and features Bruce Wayne as a poor Polish
immigrant who returns to Gotham from out West after his parents are killed in
an industrial accident," Edwards said. "It's about immigrants in the
Gotham."
GRAYSON TEACHES COMICS
-------------------------
GOTHAM KNIGHTS’ writer Devin Grayson will soon be hosting
classes on Comics Writing in New York in conjunction with The Learning Annex
(http://www.thelearningannex.com).
"In general, I'll be discussing comic story structure
with a concentration on characterization. We'll be spending some time exploring
the archetypes, both as emanations of the hero and as allies and enemies in the
classic Hero's Journey, as well as utilizing a couple of theatrical drama
exercises to help clarify concepts like scene objectives and character
motivation. I'll also talk a bit more generally about the business, with the
obligatory hints on breaking in, and the equally obligatory warnings about what
the job really entails. And last but not least, I hope to answer lots of
questions! It should be fun, I'm looking forward to it." Grayson told the
Comics Resources website. (http://www.comicbookresources.com/)
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TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
BATMAN BEYOND
---------------
The second season of the new futuristic look at the world of
the new Dark Knight is underway at 8.00 am (ET) Saturdays on the KidsWB!
5/27/00 (8:00 am) -- "Where's Terry?" - NEW EPISODE
5/27/00 (8:30 am) -- "Armory"
6/3/00 (8:00 am) -- "Plague"
6/3/00 (8:30 am) -- "The Eggbaby"
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.' Brian has also noted that the UK
episodes have some definite edits when compared to the versions of the shows
shown in the US and Ireland.
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
----------------------------------
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
5/26/00 (4:30 pm) -- "The Ultimate Thrill"
5/29/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Lock-Up"
5/30/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Showdown"
5/31/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Harlequinade"
6/1/00 (3:30 pm) -- "A Bullet for Bullock"
6/1/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Torch Song"
6/2/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Almost Got 'Im"
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
----------------------------
Batman is back on the Cartoon Network. Unannounced CN has
started running episodes of BTAS in order at weeknights at 6.00 pm ET and
Saturdays at 11.00am.
Batman the Animated Series is on Cartoon Network in
Australia from April 3rd at 7.00am and 5.00pm weekdays.
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.
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 on Saturdays at 6pm
from Saturday 22nd April.
======================================================================
TV NEWS
**********
KIDS WB WINS BROADCAST RATINGS
------------------------------
The KidsWB! was once again the season winner in the
competitive Saturday morning broadcast TV ratings. However, it lost out to
Nickelodeon on overall ratings ( broadcast and cable combined).
===========================================================
MOVIE NEWS
************
ROBERTS SAYS NO TO BATMAN 5
---------------------------
The UK's Sunday Mail
recently reported that Julia Roberts had been offered $20+ million as an
initial fee to star inBatman 5. According to the reports producers wanted
Roberts in the movie to guarantee pulling power,. The report went on to say
that she is not interested saying "the chances of her accepting the role
were slim to anorexic".
BATMAN ACTOR TAKES ON MAN OF STEEL
---------------------------------------
Actor Scott Cranford, who has appeared in the last three
Batman movies, has been selected to play Superman in the upcoming Metropolis'
Superman Celebration, held in the town of Metropolis IL on June 8 through 11
================================
ON THE ROAD
**************
DC, BEST WESTERN TEAM UP
----------------------------------------------------------------
DC Comics its teaming up with Best Western Hotels throughout
the United States and Canada this summer for the fifth consecutive year of a
Summers Adventures promotion.
Beginning Friday and running through Sept. 4, customers
checking into Best Western hotels under the Fun Plan will receive Summer
Adventures gifts, including a Super Hero Fuji single-use camera, a DC comic
book and a special AT&T phone card with 10 free minutes of long distance
service. Guests will also receive a brochure featuring a coupon for free film
development.
"We are pleased to join forces with Best Western, once
again, to make the family road trip a super-Hero adventure," said Joel
Ehrlich, DC's Senior vice-president, advertising and promotions. "Five
consecutive years of Summer Adventures is a testament to the success of this
partnership."
With each phone card, callers can play an interactive phone
game to help Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman solve a mystery. The actual voice
of each super-hero is heard and provides a clue to help solve the mystery.
Participants then write the answer to the mystery on the brochure and send it
in to receive special offers, including a 15 percent discount at Warner Bros.
Studio Stores.
The promotion will be supported by broadcast television
commercials tagged with promotional spots, and national advertisements running
in consumer print publications, April issues of DC Comics and Six Flags Park
Guides from May through September. Point-of-sale materials will include
in-lobby signage such as counter cards. The Summer Adventures offer will be
highlighted in 4.1 million American Airlines frequent flyer statement stuffers
in May and Best Western and DC Comics will tie in with Warner Bros. Studio
Stores for their Super Hero and Father's Day promotions.
==================================================================
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
NEW ORLEANS – May 26-28
--------------------------
The BIG EASY COMIC-CON (www.bigeasycon.com) takes
place over Memorial Day weekend at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel.
Guests include YVONNE CRAIG and TONY ISABELLA
NEW YORK NY – June 9-11 2000
-----------------------------
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.
CHARLOTTE NC June 16-18
-------------------------
This years HEROES CONVENTION (www.heroesonline.com)
is being held at the Charlotte Convention Center between June 16th
and 18th . Guests include: DICK GIORDANO, CARMINE INFANTINO, JULIUS
SCHWARTZ, BRIAN STELFREEZE and MARK WAID.
SAN DIEGO CA – July 20-23
---------------------------
COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL (www.comic-con.org) will be
held in at the San Diego convention center between July 20th and 23rd.
Guests confirmed so far include JEPH LOEB and TIM SALE.
====================================================================
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
CATCH UP ON THE GOTHAM GAZETTE FAN-FICS
---------------------------------------
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
----------------------------
BATSIGNAL a new Batman on-line discussion group has been launched at
http://www.eGroups.com/group/BatSignal
Or subscribe direct by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
---------------------------
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 )
======================================================================
BATMAN FANZINES & FAN-CLUBS
*******************************
(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
----------------------
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
---------------------------------
Editor John Mack has announced that he has suspended
publication of the BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS GUIDE. .
GREEN HORNET & BATMAN FAN & COLLECTORS CLUB
--------------------------------------------
$10 a year for a bi-monthly newsletter. Contact J.
Washington III, 321 Gracie Road . Chesapeake VA 23325
HARLEY QUINN FAN CLUB
----------------------
Based in San Diego. For more info contact Mike at 4574
Mercurio St. San Diego CA 92130
UNOFFICIAL BATMAN ANIMATED FAN-CLUB
-------------------------------------
This club began in September and consists of a quarterly 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/
======================================================================
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 )
- Comics Continuum (http://comicscontinuum.com/index.htm)
- Newsrama
(http://www.anotheruniverse.com/newsarama/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 and GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS are (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.