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GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #69
Friday 28th January 1999
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NO GWN IN FEBRUARY
------------------
That's right there'll be no issues of GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS
next month.
I'll be returning to the UK for most of February to take
my first real vacation in nearly four years, visiting family & friends.
After a lot of thought, I've decided to make it a real vacation and not take my
laptop with me. Deciding to put GWN on hold for a few weeks wasn't an easy
decision - but I've decided to have a rest.
Before I go I will make an effort to try and update the
GOTHAM GAZETTE web site, so you'll have some Bat stuff to keep you all going
over the next few weeks.
But don't worry, as soon as I return to the US, GWN will
be back on its regular schedule just in time for the start of Batman's 60th
Anniversary celebrations.
As always have a good week, and month, and all the best.
Alan J. Porter
[email protected] / [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE OF GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS:
=====================================
Comics Shipping Next Month
Comics News
TV Show Schedules
On-Line Happenings
On The Newsstands
Meet The Bat-Team
Movie Rumors
In The Stores
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT MONTH (February)
***************************************
February 3rd
--------------
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #11
Written by Ty Templeton; art by Rick Burchett and Terry
Beatty.
The Riddler is out and at it again, with a twist. This
time, he's leaving clues for Batman that solve other criminals' crimes. What's
the Riddler up to? ($1.99)
BIRDS OF PREY #4
Written by Chuck
Dixon; art by Greg Land and Drew Geraci; cover by Land and Brian Stelfreeze.
Last seen in the Birds of Prey: The Ravens one-shot, the
criminals known as the Ravens return. This issue's got it all: a Kobra secret
lair in the desert; the lethal Ravens; a rampaging dinosaur; and Canary on
vacation in Minnesota -- and they're all related. ( $1.99)
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #116 Written by Devin
Grayson; art by Dale Eaglesham, Batt and Aaron Sowd; cover by Dwayne Turner and
Danny Miki
In Part 1 of the 4-part "Fear of Faith," a
neutral Gotham sector made up of diverse ethnic and religious groups has been
organized under the leadership of Father Chris, one of the Huntress's parish
priests. Because of her beliefs and because it encompasses her old neighborhood,
the Huntress vows to protect Father Chris's sector from more hostile neighbors.
But Father Chris is being pressured by everyone -- including the GCPD -- to
choose sides for his sector in the fight for Gotham. And when he offers
sanctuary to the Scarecrow, his problems can only get worse...
YOUNG JUSTICE #7
Written by Peter David; art and cover by Todd Nauck and
Lary Stucker.
Guest-starring Nightwing, Max Mercury and more. What
could be worse than being judged by the JLA in Young Justice #6? Why, having
your parental guardians sitting with Red Tornado for a parent-teacher
discussion about your behavior as a member of YJ. You don't want to miss the
battle of all battles as the mothers of Wonder Girl and Arrowette throw down.
Plus, uncover more secrets about the Secret.
($2.50)
February 10th
-------------
AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT #51
Written by Dennis O'Neil; art and cover by Roger Robinson
and James Pascoe.
Hot on Nick
Scratch's trail, John Paul is struck by the limitations left after years of
relying on his old suit's "gifts." So, while facing Nicholas
Scratch's Demonic Trio in his new costume, lightning may have to strike twice
for John Paul to ever truly be Azrael again. ($2.25)
BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #84 Written by Devin Grayson;
art by Dale Eaglesham and Sean Parsons; cover by Dwayne Turner and Danny Miki
Part 2 of the 4-part "Fear of Faith," featuring
the Scarecrow and a cameo by the mysterious new Batgirl! Things heat up for
Father Chris and the Ark Project Refugee Center when they're assaulted both
from outside and inside. Meanwhile, Batman and Batgirl try to keep a handle on
Penguin's growing organization while dealing with a splinter group of Black
Mask's former thugs.
BATMAN IN THE '60s TP
Written and drawn by various; cover by Murphy Anderson
Some of the most
exciting and offbeat Batman stories of the 1960s are collected in a remarkable
trade paperback, featuring an introduction by Adam West. Running the gamut from
the sublimely silly to the late-'60s style of realism, more than 16 stories
from Batman and Detective Comics highlight the classic Batman Family (Batman,
Robin, Batgirl, Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite, and more) and villains from the period,
including the Joker, Clayface, Poison Ivy, Blockbuster, and more. This
ecollection includes text pages featuring secrets of the Batman mythos of the
decade, a gatefold featuring the 1960s Batcave and a 6" cover flap
featuring standees of Batman & Robin. ($19.95)
NIGHTWING #30
Written by Chuck Dixon; art and cover by Scott McDaniel and
Karl Story.
Guest-starring Superman. Since the quake in Gotham City,
many of Gotham City's undesirables have moved to Bludhaven, so many that
Nightwing has his hands full, even when Superman drops by to help tidy up. And
with the huge influx of people, Blockbuster launches new and deadlier
schemes. ($1.99)
TITANS #2
Written by Devin K. Grayson; art and covers by Mark
Buckingham and Wade Von Grawbadger.
With guest-star Superman around, is anything a job for
the Titans? Continuing the saga of the full-time Superman: The newly formed
team has a meddling Kryptonian who won't allow them the chance to shine against
the deadly new H.I.V.E. After all, you can't really tell the Man of Steel to
beat it - although Nightwing makes a
sacrifice to do it. ($2.50)
February 17th
-------------
BATMAN #564 Written by Devin Grayson; art by Dale
Eaglesham and Jaime Mendoza; cover by Eaglesham and Danny Miki
Part 3 of the 4-part "Fear of Faith," featuring
the Scarecrow! When a reformed Black Mask member is shot for helping Father
Chris's Ark Project Refugee Center, Batman and Huntress do what they must to
save his life and calm the mounting tensions between the Father's neutral
sector and its neighbors. But to save lives, Father Chris must make a deal with
a devil, not realizing he already has one living under his roof.
BATMAN BEYOND #2
Written by Hilary J. Bader; art by Rick Burchett and
Terry Beatty; cover by Bruce Timm.
The two-part story revealing the destiny of the Dark
Knight and the origin of his successor concludes. Learn what led Bruce Wayne to
hang up his cape and cowl and how, many years later, a youngster named Terry
McGinnis will inherit the mantle of the Bat in the conclusion of the series'
debut, "Rebirth." ( $1.99).
BATMAN & SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #1
Written by Karl Kesel; art and cover by Dave Taylor and
Robert Campanella.
A 10-issue maxi-series tracing the partnership of the
Dark Knight and the Man of Steel. In the extra-sized, Prestige Format first
issue, a case bringing the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight together in the
first year of their careers ends tragically, with the heroes pledging to meet
at the victim's gravesite on the same date each year. As the maxi-series runs
its course, the heroes learn more about that fateful case, teaming up during
some of the oddest turns in their careers.
($4.95 )
February 24th
---------------
THE BATMAN CHRONICLES #16
Written by Greg
Rucka, Scott Beatty and various; art by Jason Pearson, Damian Scott and
various; cover by Pearson.
A "NO MAN'S LAND" tie-in issue guest-starring
the new Batgirl! In "Two Down," GCPD detective Renee Montoya finds
her brother alive and well in the aftermath of the earthquake, keeping company
with the neighborhood Good Samaritan -- Two Face! Plus, a young couple tries to
survive in an apartment that was once the Joker's hideout. Can even the all-new
Batgirl save them? ($2.95.)
CATWOMAN #67
Written by Devin K. Grayson; art by Jim Balent and John
Stanisci; cover by Balent.
Catwoman tries to steal the Big Apple's heart (and that's
not all!) in part two of the six-part "I'll Take Manhattan!" How do
you steal a city, anyway? Find out as Catwoman goes after the Big Apple itself:
locks, stocks, and (shot-gun) barrels. Needless to say, she attracts all the
wrong kinds of attention, and Wall Street will never be the same. Plus, Selina
celebrates her new home town by getting... a makeover? ($1.99)
DETECTIVE COMICS #731 Written by Devin Grayson; art by
Dale Eaglesham and Sean Parsons; cover by Eaglesham and Danny Miki
The explosive conclusion to "Fear of Faith!"
The refugee center comes under attack from all sides, as the renegade former
Black Maskers, Penguin's troops and the GCPD all invade Father Chris's neutral
sector of No Man's Land. With dozens of lives at stake, how can Batman and
Huntress keep the powder keg that is the neutral sector from exploding?
JLA #28
Written by Grant Morrison; art and cover by Howard Porter
and John Dell.
Captain Marvel guests in part two of the three-part
"Crisis Times Five", the first teaming of the current JLA with the
JSA. The truth about the strange, magical calamity sweeping the world is
finally revealed: A terrible war among the seemingly omnipotent denizens of the
5th Dimension is spilling over into our world, threatening to forever shatter
the fabric of the DC Universe. While Captain Marvel and the JLA travel to this
higher realm to try to put an end to the 5th-Dimensional conflict, one of our
other heroes has fallen under the control of the most villainous "genie,"
and only an untested young champion holds the key to stopping him. ($1.99)
ROBIN #63
Written by Chuck Dixon; art by Staz Johnson and Stan
Woch; cover by David A. Williams and Karl Story. The Flash guest-stars in part two of a
two-part story featuring a cameo appearance by Superman. At home, Robin is
trying to adjust to his new life in Keystone City. In the streets, he and the
Flash try to halt the crime spree of the Riddler and Captain Boomerang. And of
course, there's the granddaddy of all super-heroes dropping by... ($1.99.)
WORLD'S FINEST COMICS ARCHIVES Volume 1
Written and drawn by various; cover by Dick Sprang.
Timed to coincide with the debut of Batman &
Superman: World's Finest, DC releases a hardcover collection of the first Superman-Batman
team-ups, featuring a new cover by Sprang. Reprinting Superman (1st series)
#76, as well as the team-ups from the pages of World's Finest Comics #71-85,
these stories include the first time Superman and Batman revealed their secret
idenities to each other (in a classic adventure on a cruise ship), the first
time the two heroes traded identities, and the memorable tale in which Superman
loses his powers and Batman gained them ($49.95)
COMICS NEWS
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BATMAN FANBOY ALERT
--------------------
Writer Mark Evanier contacted GWN to let us know that
FANBOY #5 guest stars Batman and features guest art by Dick Sprang, Jim Mooney,
Joe Giella, Neal Adams, Frank Miller and Bruce Timm.
MORE ON NML - The Newsrama Interview continued
-----------------------------------------------------
From Newsrama (http://www.mania.com/newsarama), this
week's continuation of the interview on NO
MAN'S LAND with Batman Editor Jordan Gorfinkel:
CBI-N: Jordan, last week we talked about Batman shattering
his own "Urban Myth" status and coming out in broad daylight to let
the citizens of Gotham know he's there to project them. Will you be further
developing Batman getting reacquainted with "humanity', including his own?
Could we be seeing a move toward him becoming a "champion" of the
people, or a true "superhero"?
JG: "I credit Devin Grayson with discovering the
story possibilities of No Man's Land awakening Batman's human side. She writes
a Dark Knight who is as tough a warrior as the next guy's...and I do mean guy,
since she's a woman. But her NML Batman is unmistakably Bruce Wayne under the
mask. The human side is no longer containable, like tears at a loved one's
funeral. She has a small, 'silent' scene in her 'Fear of Faith' story arc (the
2nd month of NML) featuring Batman and Dr. Leslie Thompkins that is devastating
in its emotional power. I saw the art a few weeks ago for the first time and I
choked up.
Devin's writing, and your question, have made me realize
that by moving Batman out of the shadows, we might actually be making him a
stronger person. Scott Peterson (ex Batman editor) used to say that some of
Bruce Wayne's emotional maturity was frozen the day his parents were murdered
before his eyes. After all, Batman's mission has the purity and myopia of an
angry child, bent on avenging himself on a bully. Now that this child, Bruce
Wayne, has grown up to be the Batman, he's channeling his rage against every
bully in Gotham City. Maybe NML will help heal the part of Batman's psyche that
is so stunted that he's been incapable of embracing sides of his humanity that
he's locked in the deepest basement, like love.
Gosh...I'll have to share this idea with the rest of our
editors and writers..."
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
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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!
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
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.
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.
The European satellite channel "Trouble" also
airs the 1960's show at 7am and 11am every morning.
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
WIZARD HOLDS ON-LINE POLL ON THE FATE OF GOTHAM
-------------------------------------------------
(from The Wizard World Emailer)
Gotham City has hit rock bottom. Literally. The No Man's
Land story arc is slated to go through all of 1999, and it's a safe bet to say
that Gotham, as well as the Caped Crusader, will be irrevocably changed by the
event. Which leads us to this month's Wizard poll of, "What do you think
should happen to Gotham City, and why?" Here are the choices:
A) It is left much as it stands at the beginning of No
Man's Land, a barely populated wasteland, with Bats as one of the few remaining
defenders. This plunges Batman further into a brooding, miserable, despondent
and truly Dark Knight.
B) It is reborn as a pseudo-Metropolis. Receiving
government aid and private financing (Wayne, Penguin, etc.) Gotham is reborn
into the 20th century. While far from being a city of light, the repopulating
of Gotham reinforces Batman's resolve to protect the city and its inhabitants,
no matter how bad things may get.
C) With Batman nowhere to be seen, a reopened but not
rebuilt Gotham City is patrolled endlessly by Batman's many protégé's,
including Robin, Nighthawk, Batgirl, Azrael, Huntress and more. Bruce Wayne
becomes the father figure and with Oracle's assistance, runs Gotham from the
shadows.
D) Or, if you're feeling inventive (or think all these
suck) come up with something yourself.
Send results to : [email protected], subject
"Gotham."
BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
---------------------------
Batman Animated Newsletter - Tim Leighton
([email protected])
"Claw Marks" the Catwoman Newsletter - William
Tyler ([email protected])
AOL WEEKLY CHAT ROOM SCHEDULE
------------------------------
Monday
GOTHAM CITY HAPPY HOUR, 7 PM ET
With representatives from the Batman editorial office.
Wednesday
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.
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
MOVIE RUMORS
************
THE CAT'S MEOW
--------------
Ain't it Cool News is reporting that Warner Bros. may be
considering a Catwoman feature film. The
story, which is very strenuously labeled a rumor comes from an unnamed
spy. The spy claims that a Catwoman movie
is being considered as a kind of stalling tactic while the studio waits for a
good opportunity to revive Batman.
Some GWN readers may recall that a Catwoman movie was
discussed after the character's
appearance in Batman Returns. This spy
claims that any story development done at that time will be scrapped in favor
of an entirely new script. The spy also indicates that Michelle Pfeiffer, who
played the feline fatale in that movie, will most likely not be considered for
the starring role. The studio will be
targeting a young audience and therefore look for a young actress to fill the
cat's pajamas. (My personal vote goes to Catherine Zeta-Jones - AJP)
IN THE STORES
***************
YOUR OWN BATARANG
------------------
DC Comics is selling an actual Batarang prop, which ships
on June 30. The first in a new series of DC Direct replicas of iconic
comic-book props, Batman's classic weapon is re-created in solid pewter.
Mounted on an attached, bat-shaped base, the sculpted Batarang measures 10
inches across, and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity. DC notes the Batarang is not a toy for
children and is intended for display only. The Batarang prop is manufactured to
order, not to exceed 2,000 pieces, and orders might be allocated. The item will
cost $149.95.
=============================================================================
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
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