************************************************************
GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #68
Friday 21st January 1999
*************************************************************
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
------------------
Hi - and welcome to another travelling edition of GWN.
I've spent most of this week travelling with the "day-job". As a
result this issue is a little shorter on information than usual. Bouncing
between hotels and airports I've not had much chance to catch up on all the
latest news and gossip. In fact this issue is coming to you from my hotel in
North Carolina just before I leave to get on yet another plane and head out to
the West Coast.
So I apologize is some of the usual features are missing,
especially to those of you who relay on the TV episode listings - normal
service should be renewed next week.
As always have a good week and all the best.
Alan J. Porter
[email protected] / [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE OF GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS:
=====================================
Comics Shipping Next Week
Comics News
TV Show Schedules
On-Line Happenings
On The Newsstands
Meet The Bat-Team
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (1/27)
*******************************
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT ADVENTURES TPB
By Puckett & Parobeck
Resolicited to coincide with the debut of Batman Beyond,
this tradepaperback collects Batman Adventures #7-12. ($7.95)
CATWOMAN #66
By Grayson & Balent
Catwoman abandon's the quake-ravaged Gotham and heads for
a vacation in Paris. ($1.99)
DETECTIVE #730
By Gale & Maleev
NO MAN'S LAND: The conclusion to "No Law and a New
Order" brings Batman in to conflict with Scarface for control over a
sector of the city. The conflict teaches Batman that the rules have changed and
he needs to adapt his way of thinking. ($1.99)
JLA #27
By Morrison & Porter
The revival of a tradition as the modern JLA meet the JSA
as the two teams of Earth's mightiest heroes join forces to solve a magical
crisis. ($1.99)
NEW TEEN TITANS ARCHIVES Vol 1.
By various
Collecting the New Teen Titans first appearance from DC
Comics Present #26 and The New Teen Titans #1-8. DC presents its first archive
edition of "modern" material. ($49.95)
ROBIN #62
By Dixon & Johnson
Robin relocates to Keystone City following Gotham's
declaration as a No Man's Land where he meets up with local resident - The
Flash. ($1.99)
COMICS NEWS
************
EVEN MORE ON NML
--------------
From Newsrama (http://www.mania.com/newsarama) comes more
insight on NO MAN'S LAND in an interview with Batman Editor Joprdan Gorfinkel:
CBI-N: Jordan, can you explain Batman's current status
quo as an Urban Legend,
explain the rationale, and address rumors we've heard
that changes to that
status quo MAY lie ahead?
JG: "What I can say now is that Denny O'Neil
instituted Batman as an Urban
Myth in the editorial direction from day one of his
administration and the
rest of us have been teeing off that ever since. It makes
sense - a superhero
who faces down machine guns every day is not going to
make himself a target.
Rather, he's going to cultivate an edge, an image that
drives his foes to fear
him as if he were supernatural.
Is it a stretch to say that NO ONE has ever seen Batman?
After all, there's a
Batsignal shining in the sky nightly. The Batmobile must
travel the same roads
as every commuter. And so on.
We have offered rationales - People who have encountered
Batman are so freaked
that they don't relate the experience to anyone lest the
Bat 'come n' git
'em'. (Let's see how brave YOU are when this 7-foot
monster, black head to
toe, steps out of nowhere and growls at you!) The
Batsignal and Batmobile are
part of a unique misinformation network the Gotham City
Police Department uses
to help fight crime. And so on...
Ultimately, though, it's all about suspension of belief
on the readers' parts.
You either choose to believe that Superman can fly or you
don't. You choose to
believe that Batman is a fearsome bogey-man or you don't.
We choose to because
it makes sense to us and, more importantly, leads to
endless story
opportunities that continue to this day.
In the 4th part of 'No Law and a New Order', the opening
story arc in NO MAN'S
LAND, Batman abandons his Urban Myth status in favor of
becoming an overt
symbol of mean street justice. He comes out during the
day. It's a logical
progression for the character. I don't want to spoil
Batman's rationale (as
written by scripter Bob Gale), but to explain why the
editorial team is making
this move, I simply reiterate a point I often make about
Batman's longevity as
a popular character in fiction - he's supremely
adaptable.
As Denny said, there are umpteen ways to interpret Batman
and none of them is
wrong. For a character to survive intragenerationally,
that character must
grow. By allowing the Urban Myth direction of Batman to
evolve, we are simply
letting Batman do what Batman does best - survive.
CBI-N: Can you talk about the implications of this
development on the future
of Batman?
JG: "Sure...simple. We're entering uncharted
'terror-tory' and that means
exciting, suspenseful, unexpected stories into the
future! Denny has
resurrected 'From the Den', his semi-regular editorial
column, for NML. In it,
he will be musing about this very thing, the interesting
new story avenues we
can explore because of NML. A good comic book presents
not just an enrapturing
story but complimentary behind-the-scenes illumination in
the letters column,
and you'll be getting that in NML. No expense has been
spared (laughs)."
How long will this new status last? As Gotham City is cut
off from the rest of
the country, will the world outside of Gotham learn of
Batman? Conceivably the
rest of the DCU might never hear of events that take
place in Gotham, even IF
the city is ever reinstated as part of the United States.
But if the Bat-
creators and editors like the story possibilities it
presents and fans readers
take to the development, could we be seeing a new status
quo that will take
Batman into the new millennium and beyond? DENNY O'NEIL
answered that one for
us..."As Batman tells Azrael, different problems
dictate different solutions.
For now, he needs to be visible. That may not always be
so."
BATMAN COMICS FOR APRIL
======================
DC has offered the following information on Batman
related comics scheduled to ship in APRIL 1999.
NO MAN'S LAND
---------------
AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT #53
Written by Dennis O'Neil; art and cover by Roger Robinson
and James Pascoe.
The Angel of Justice faces the Joker in a "No Man's
Land" tie-in. When Batman charges Azrael with finding and taking down
Gotham City's most insane threat, the Clown Prince of Crime takes it as a grave
insult. The homicidal maniac proceeds even further over the deep end to prove
that he merits a higher class of adversary than the Dark Knight's "farm
team." But the last laugh might be on the Joker as he quickly learns that
Azrael is operating in the big leagues now.
(32 pages, $2.25, ships on April 14.)
BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #86
Written by Lisa Klink; art and cover by Guy Davis.
A moving, self-contained tale of a courageous, stubborn
old man caught between rival gangs and his determination to protect the only
home he's ever known...a home in the heart of No Man's Land. (32 pages, $1.99,
ships on April 14.)
BATMAN #566
Written by Kelley Puckett; art by Jon Bogdanove and
Eduardo Barreto; cover by Bogdanove.
A special issue guest-starring Superman. The Man of Steel
comes to "No Man's Land," insisting that he can help reshape the
city's faction-driven power structure. But can superpowers really make a
difference in No Man's Land?(
32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 21.)
DETECTIVE COMICS #733
Written by Bob Gale; art by Phil Winslade and Sal
Buscema; painted cover by Winslade.
A despondent Dark Knight, on the brink of despair over
the events befalling his city, turns to Alfred for wisdom. How will the story
of how Batman's father, Thomas Wayne, once was forced to choose between
business ethics and personal morality make a difference in his son's tortured
life? (32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 28.)
OTHER BATMAN TITLES
-------------------
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #118
Written by Greg Rucka; art by Jason Pearson and James A.
Hodgkins; cover by Hodgkins.
A self-contained story focusing on Alfred's adventures in
No Man's Land. Learn how manservant Alfred Pennyworth has spent his time since
Gotham's fall as he shares a campfire story -- one that bears bears striking
resemblances to his relationship with the Dark Knight, with a group of orphans.
Meanwhile, advice from a shadowy figure may change Gordon's strategy in
Gotham.(32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 7.)
BATMAN: BOOK OF THE DEAD #1
Written by Doug Moench; art and cover by Barry Kitson and
Ray McCarthy.
Elseworlds. Archaeologist Bruce Wayne discovers a
conspiracy dating back to ancient Egypt in an Elseworlds miniseries. When a
colleague reveals a millennia-old plot to erase all evidence of a mysterious
Egyptian Bat-God, Bruce Wayne joins her investigation. The ultimate in secret
plans may bring about the destruction of the world in the year 2012, unless the
Bat-God can somehow be revived.(48 pages, $4.95, ships on April 14.)
BATMAN: THE BOOK OF SHADOWS
Written by Pat Mills and Debbie Gallagher; art and cover
by Duke Mighten.
A moody, stylized vision of the Dark Knight comes to life
in a Pretige Format one-shot featuring art by Aeon Flux creator Duke Mighten,
written by Pat Mills (2000 A.D.) and comics newcomer Debbie Gallagher. When a
group of occultist predators begin preying on the lonely and brokenhearted of
Gotham, will Batman -- the "King of the Lonely" -- become the
ultimate sacrifice? (64 pages, $5.95, ships on April 28.)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #13
Written by Kelley Puckett; art by Rick Burchett and Terry
Beatty; cover by Burchett.
It's the return of Mastermind, the Perfessor and Mister
Nice (from the pages of the original Batman Adventures series). This criminal
trio has faced its share of challenges in the past, but now a visit from a
strange child could lead to the dissolution of their partnership, if not their
very lives. Can Batman save some of his greatest enemies? (32 pages, $1.99,
ships on April 7.)
BATMAN & SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #3
Written by Karl Kesel; art and cover by Dave Taylor and
Robert Campanella.
The maxi-series tracing the remarkable partnership of the
Dark Knight and the Man of Steel continues in a story set almost entirely
inside the walls of Arkham Asylum. In an issue featuring cameo appearances by
the Joker and other inmates in the Asylum, someone with a striking resemblance
to Superman (right down to the costume) has been committed to Arkham. Who is
he? What is he doing there? And how will the even stranger events that follow
have an impact on Batman and Superman's relationship? This issue also
introduces a mysterious new villainess named Illuminata, whose encounters with
the heroes will have shocking repercussions in the months ahead. (32 pages, $1.99,
ships on April 21.)
BATMAN BEYOND #4
Written by Hilary J. Bader; art by Joe Staton and Terry
Beatty; cover by Bruce Timm and Darwyn Cooke.
Guest-starring the Demon Etrigan. In the idyllic world of
Gotham's future, kids can still go astray. When the information superhighway of
tomorrow gives a young boy access to forbidden secrets, the result is the
return of an age-old demon that threatens both the boy and all of Gotham City
besides. Can the new Batman and the ageless Jason Blood (with a little help
from Etrigan) stop this ancient threat? (32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 21.)
BATMAN FAMILY
-------------
ANARKY #2
Written by Alan Grant; art and cover by Norm Breyfogle
and Joe Rubinstein.
Green Lantern guest stars as the power ring remains in
the hands (technically, on the finger) of Anarky. Other than trying to save the
world from the threat of the creature called Aberration, what does Anarky plan
to do with the most powerful weapon in the universe? And will Kyle Rayner stand
for it? Plus, Anarky learns a little more about his surprising lineage.(32
pages, $2.50, ships on April 7.)
BIRDS OF PREY #6
Written by Chuck Dixon; art by Greg Land and Drew Geraci;
cover by Land and Brian Stelfreeze.
Concluding a three-part story featuring the Ravens. Black
Canary vs. the Ravens. Black Canary vs. Kobra. Kobra vs. the Lake Monster.
Oracle vs...well, that would be revealing too much. (32 pages, $1.99, ships on
April 14.)
CATWOMAN #69
Written by Devin Grayson; art by Jim Balent and Marlo Alquiza;
cover by Balent.
All the guns-for-hire have failed to stop Selina Kyle, so
the mob figures it takes a thief to catch one. Enter James Jesse, the Flash
villain known as the Trickster. Catwoman has never run into a villain that's
every bit as cunning as she is, so her work is cut out for her. That's
especially the case when it looks like the Trickster has revealed Catwoman's
secret identity to everyone in the Big Apple. (32 pages, $1.99, ships on April
28.)b
JLA #30
Written by Grant Morrison; art and cover by Howard Porter
and John Dell.
The conclusion of "Crisis Times Five," the
first teaming of the current JLA with the JSA. The mindbending conclusion of
the war against the 5th Dimension finds the evil genie LKZ running rampant
across our world. Meanwhile, a select JLA squad takes the battle to the genies'
other- dimensional home in a desperate attempt to keep reality from crumbling.
With the JLA, the Justice Society of America, and Captain Marvel all in on the
action, this has to be the greatest JLA adventure in this, or any dimension.
(32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 28.)
JLA: YEAR ONE TP
Written by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn; art by Barry
Kitson, Michael Bair, Mark Propst, and John Stokes; cover by Kitson.
The maxi-series that revealed how five inexperienced
heroes founded the greatest super-team the world has ever known is collected in
a mammoth trade paperback, featuring an all-new cover by Barry Kitson and an
introduction by Kurt Busiek (The Avengers). JLA founders Flash Barry Allen,
Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman are
joined by Superman, BATMAN, the Doom Patrol, and an array of other heroes as
they defeat some of the greatest menaces the world has ever known. (320 pages,
trade paperback, $19.95, ships on April 14.)
NIGHTWING #32
Written by Chuck Dixon; art and cover by Scott McDaniel
and Karl Story.
In part one of a three-part story, someone is robbing
Bludhaven's criminals. Is it the new villainess duo known as Double Dare?
Nightwing must face not only this pair of purloiners, but also the city's new
stepped-up "shoot first, ask questions later" police presence,
engineered by Blockbuster.(32 pages, $1.99, ships on April 14.)
ROBIN #65
Written by Chuck Dixon; art by William Rosado and Stan
Woch; cover by Jason Pearson.
The Spoiler gives birth, but what will happen to her
child? Plus, Robin returns to Gotham Heights to see the destroyed, closed-off
Gotham City in this special issue, featuring pencils by guest-artist William
Rosado and the debut of new cover artist Jason Pearson. (32 pages, $1.99, ships
on April 28.)
THE TITANS #4
Written by Devin Grayson; art by Justiniano and Wade Von
Grawbadger; cover by Mark Buckingham and Von Grawbadger.
The demonic, horror-movie star Goth's plan is revealed.
He's collecting the souls of his fans and sending them to Hell. Now the Titans
are next in line, and the warrior heart of Starfire may be their only
salvation. (32 pages, $2.50, ships on April 21.)
YOUNG JUSTICE #9
Written by Peter David; art by Todd Nauck, Lary Stucker
and Jon Sibal; cover by Nauck and Stucker.
They are sooo cute. You'll wanna kill. It's the
"Attack of the Adorable Huggathugees." Can the the Young Justice crew
stop a threat that's even sweeter than any purple dinosaur you've ever seen?
(32 pages, $2.50, ships on April 7.)
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
BATMAN MOVIES ON TV
----------------------
HBO is currently running showings of 1992s BATMAN RETURNS
and 1997s BATMAN & ROBIN. Check your local listings for show times.
BATMAN BEYOND
---------------
The new futuristic look at the world of the new Dark
Knight starts its first season at 9.30am (ET) Saturdays on the KidsWB!
Sat 1-23-99 #02 "Rebirth" - Part II
Brian Davis reports that the Irish TV station will air
Batman Beyond beginning 19th January at 5.30pm with the remaining New Batman
Adventures episodes shown as fill-ins when Batman Beyond is in breaks.
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
Sat 1/23/99 @ 8.30am #105 "Girls' Night Out"
NOTE: Shows #1 - 85 are the classic "Batman: The
Animated Series" style. Shows #86 onwards are the "New
Adventures" style.
For those of you without a WB affiliate you may find the
new shows on:
- WGN on Sunday mornings at 8.00 central/ 9:00
eastern standard time. WGN also shows episodes every weekday morning @ 10:00
for one hour.
- Some UPN
stations are also running the shows on Sunday at 10.30 ET
A listing of US TV stations carrying the KidsWB! shows
can be found at http://www.toonzone.net/brian/stations/index.html
The Irish TV
station RTE2 broadcasts The New Batman Adventures on Tuesdays around 5pm. These
are the new episodes and sometimes they air ahead of the USA.
UPDATE: The Irish channel RTE2 are currently showing The
New Batman Adventures Season 2 on Fridays at 5.30pm
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
----------------------------
The Cartoon Network is running selected episodes airing
Monday through Friday at 6.00 pm Eastern
& Pacific time.
Mon 1-25-99: #58 "Blind as a Bat"
Tue 1-26-99: #59 "The Demon's Quest" Part One
From Brian Davis comes news that Batman is back on the
Cartoon Network, Europe every day at 7pm UK Time.
Sean Wilson reports that Global TV is showing Batman: The
Animated Series at 7:00 am (PST).
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 a NEW TIME of
1.30pm (EDT) Monday thru Friday.
Mon 1/25 - (season 2/show 60) "The Duo
Defy" - Mr. Freeze
Tue 1/26 - (3/01) "Enter Batgirl Exit Penguin"
- Penguin
Wed 1/27 - (3/02) "Ring Round Riddler" - Riddler
Thu 1/28 - (3/03) "The Wail of the Siren" -
Riddler & Siren
Fri 1/29 - (3/04) "The Sport of Penguins" -
Penguin
The European satellite channel "Trouble" also
airs the 1960's show at 7am and 11am every morning.
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
---------------------------
Batman Animated Newsletter - Tim Hutchinson
([email protected])
"Claw Marks" the Catwoman Newsletter - William
Tyler ([email protected])
AOL WEEKLY CHAT ROOM SCHEDULE
------------------------------
Monday (1/25)
GOTHAM CITY HAPPY HOUR, 7 PM ET
With representatives from the Batman editorial office.
Wednesday (1/27)
WOMEN OF THE DCU, 7 PM ET
Fans gather informally to discuss DC's female characters,
past, present, and future from Catwoman to Duela Dent.
BATMAN'S PARTNERS, 9 PM ET
Fans gather informally to discuss Robin, Oracle,
Nightwing, the Huntress, Azrael, Catwoman, and Black Canary.
ON THE NEWSSTANDS
******************
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY # 468/469 - Jan 22/29 1999
--------------------------------------------
Special double issue on upcoming events for 1999 includes
an article spotlighting the long rumored Batman Musical on Broadway.
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
AKRON OH - February 7
---------------------
AKRON-CANTON COMIC CON at the Holiday Inn in Akron
features Batman: Shadow Of The Bat cover artist BRIAN STELFREEZE.
ORLANDO FL - March 5-7
----------------------
MEGA-CON 99 at the Orlando Expo Center features
appearances by legendary Batman artists NEAL ADAMS, DICK AYERS, DICK GIORDANO,
and SHELLY MOLDOFF.
NASHVILLE TN - June 5-6
-----------------------
CELEBRITY CON'99 in Smyrna, Tennessee (near Nashville)
includes many guests with BATMAN connections including: Julius Schwartz, Terry
Austin, Walt and Louise Simonson, Sheldon Moldoff, and Jim Starlin, &
Yvonne (Batgirl) Craig
ATLANTA GA - July 1-4
---------------------
Already confirmed as a guest for this year's DRAGON*CON
at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta is New Batman Adventures producer and writer
PAUL DINI
=============================================================================
THE LATEST ISSUE OF
GOTHAM GAZETTE is now available.
Issue #30 can be found at
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp (Note the new URL)
This month:
TV - "Batman Beyond" set to premiere 10th
January .
Movies - Arkham Guard elected Governor
Comics - "No Man's Land" and new Elseworlds
Projects
Comics Shipping In December and January
Classic Comic Revisited - Frank Miller's 1st Batman story
and other Xmas tales.
Fan Fiction - A traditional Christmas tale.
Article - Batman Comic Sales for 1998!
Art Gallery - Readers Art
Quiz Page - The Year That Was.
- THE COLLECTORS GUIDE updates can be found at
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp/guide.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/)
- Comic Book
Continuum (http://www.detnews.com/comicbooks)
- Newsrama
(http://www.AnotherUniverse.com/newsarama)
- Hollywood Heros
(http://www.Mania.com/Mania)
- 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 is not affliated 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.
If you no longer wish to recieve 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.