*************************************************************
GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #70
Friday 26th
February 1999
*************************************************************
GWN IS BACK
------------------
After a few weeks away GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS is back. A
lot's been happening during the few weeks that I was away on vacation; so this
will be something of a "catch up" issue.
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
Comics Sales Charts
TV Show Schedules
TV News
On-Line Happenings
On The Newsstands
Meet The Bat-Team
Movie Rumors
In The Stores
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (March 3rd)
***************************************
ANARKY #1
By Grant & Breyfogle.
The JLA guests in the debut issue of this new series,
spun from the pages of Batman. Anarky discovers an extremely powerful threat to
all reality, but when he tries to enlist the JLA's aid, they just try to
capture him for his past crimes. Facing the prospect of battling the most
destructive force in the universe alone, he decides to acquire perhaps the most
powerful weapon in the universe: Green Lantern's power ring. Tying into events
in Green Lantern #112, Anarky gets the ultimate weapon, but will he be willing
to return it when the threat is vanquished? ($2.50)
BATMAN: ANARKY TP
By Grant & Breyfogle.
A trade paperback traces Anarky's development from
fascinating villain to even more fascinating hero. Reprinting Detective Comics
#608-609, The Batman Chronicles #1, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #40-41, and
Anarky #1-4, this collection includes appearances by Batman, Darkseid and the
Demon, and features an introduction by writer Alan Grant and an introduction
and new cover by artist Norm Breyfogle. ($12.95)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #12
By Templeton & Burchett.
Two-Face has escaped again, but this time he's been
slipped a trick coin that's rigged to come up heads every time. Coupled with
his rather tenuous grip on reality, it results in his becoming a suicidal force
for good in Gotham. ($1.99)
BATMAN: I JOKER
By Hall
ELSEWORLDS. A re-release of last year's stylish look at a
future where the cult of the Batman has reached religious proportions. ($4.95)
BATMAN: JOKER'S APPRENTICE
By Henderson & Von Eeden.
The Clown Prince of Crime takes a new inmate under his
wing -- creating a deadly foe for the Dark Knight -- in this extra-size
one-shot written by crime novelist C.J. Henderson. Under the Joker's tutelage,
serial rapist Arthur Rankel escapes from Arkham and embarks on a twisted plan
to trick both the FBI and Batman into believing that a serial killer is heading
for Gotham. But when the ultimate showdown finally takes place, who will have
the last laugh? ($3.95)
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #117
By Edginton
& D'Israeli.
"NO MAN'S LAND" continues with part one of the
two-part "Bread and Circuses." Batman takes the battle for Gotham
City to the Penguin's Iceberg Lounge, a refuge for anyone with something to
barter -- even if it's that person's own life. Meanwhile, Gordon and the Blue Boys
suffer casualties in their latest gang turf war, and the new Batgirl makes a
cameo appearance. ($1.99)
BATMAN & SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #1
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 )
BIRDS OF PREY #5
By Dixon & Land.
Part two of a three-part story featuring the Ravens. Can
the Canary avoid being a snack for the horror from the Cretaceous Era living in
the lake at her resort? And, even if she can, how will she defeat the Kobra
agents waiting to kill her and avoid the Ravens, who are on their own mission
nearby? Meanwhile, back in Gotham, Oracle's secret location has been discovered
-- but by whom? ($1.99)
YOUNG JUSTICE #8
By Dixon & Nauck
Can Arrowette and the rest of Young Justice stop
Razorsharp and the rest of the Psyba-Rats from infiltrating the Justice Cave?
($2.50)
COMICS NEWS
************
"NO MANS LAND" UPDATES
---------------------------
- Upcoming issues
of Batman (#566) and JLA (#32) have promised readers a detailed look into how
the Dark Knights colleagues, Superman and the rest of the JLA'ers, will deal
with Gotham City's new status quo. But what about Robin's teammates in YOUNG
JUSTICE? How they respond is the subject of the May 48-page one-shot special
YOUNG JUSTICE IN NO MAN'S LAND. Written Chuck Dixon, and Scott Beatty and
illustrated by Andy Kuhn and Chris Ivy (with a cover by ALFRED AWARD winning
artists Scott McDaniel), the one-shot deals with Superboy and Impulse's
decision to help cheer up their depressed buddy Robin in the best way they know
how - by going to Gotham to fix things up.
- Dan Jurgens has
said he is drawing a three-part story arc for the Batman "No Man's
Land" event. The story is written by Greg Rucka, with inks by Bill
Sienkiewicz. "I believe the arc ships in June, though I'm not 100 percent
certain," Jurgens said.
- Early word from
DC is No Man's Land is a breakout success, with early chapters of the Batman
storyline selling out all over the country. In response to the
"overwhelming popularity" of NML, the publisher has announced that it
is "rush soliciting" a specially priced collection of the initial
story-arc, Batman: No Law and New Order. The trade paperback, which will retail
for $5.95. Batman: No Law And A New Order Collection is available for order
now, and will be in stores on March 24. As DC does not intend for this
collection to become a backlist title (towards the end of the year they'll
solicit a traditional trade paperback that will include this material), the
publisher warns available quantities may be limited.
DIXON GOES EXCLUSIVE WITH DC
--------------------------------
ALFRED AWARD winning writer Chuck Dixon, has signed an
exclusive contract with DC.
BATMAN BEYOND ON-GOING SERIES ?
---------------------------------
Rumor has it that if the "Batman Beyond" series
and comic series are popular enough, it will become a continuing series,
instead of just a six-issue mini-series as currently planned. The same happened with "The Batman
Adventures" many moons ago. Joe Staton has been pegged as the artist for
the BATMAN BEYOND comic series, while Terry Beatty is inker and Hilary J. Bader
is writer.
CREATIVE CHANGES ON CATWOMAN
-------------------------------
Devin Grayson has announced she is departing what was her
very first ongoing writing assignment. "I'll be leaving CATWOMAN after
issue #71 (June), the
conclusion of the 'I'll Take Manhattan'/Selina-in-NYC
story arc Catwoman was the first monthly I ever worked on and I'll always feel
close to the character. Issue #71 felt like a good and natural place to stop.
Still, as far as I know, artist Jim Balent isn't going anywhere, and I know I
leave her in good hands."
As to who hands those will be, DC has confirmed that JOHN
(Martian Manhunter)
OSTRANDER has signed on to write 6 issues following
Grayson's exit. John Ostrander told GWN "I've been asked to do a six issue
stint tying into the climax of the No Man's Land stuff, starting with issue 72.
Catwoman will have to "steal" her way back into Gotham although all
the action won't take place there. More then that would be telling".
COMICS SALES CHARTS
********************
BATMAN related titles achieved the following positions in
the Direct Market sales charts for issues cover dated March 1999.
(Source: Wizard #92)
9 - JLA #27 (up 5)
23 - Titans #1 (NEW)
27 - Batman: No Man's Land (NEW)
38 - Batman #563 (up 17)
44 - Detective #730 (up 18)
46 - Nightwing #29 (up 11)
51 - Shadow Of The Bat #83 (up 25)
57 - Young Justice #6 (up 9)
61 - Superman/Batman: Generations #3 (up 10)
70 - Robin #62 (up 14)
74 - Catwoman #66 (up 7)
85 - Batman Beyond #1 (NEW)
87 - Birds Of Prey #3 (up 8)
92 - Titans Secret Files #1 (NEW)
96 - Azrael #50 (up 4 +)
Titles Below #100:
- Gotham
Adventures
(Note: Legends Of The Dark Knight was not published this
month)
The average chart
position for the 9 regular Batman titles in March 1999 was 54. The impact of
the "No Man's Land" event having a very positive affect on all Bat
titles. Having said that average sales are still down in relation to this time
last year (ACP for Mar 98 was 50).
The ACP for the Bat titles so far this year are Jan: 61,
Feb: 68,
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!
2/27/99 (9.30am) - "Rebirth" - Part 1
An episode guide to Batman Beyond is now available on The
GOTHAM GAZETTE web site.(http://members.aol.com/gothamajp )
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 2-27-99 (8.30am) - #107 "Chemistry"
Mon 3-01-99 (4.30pm) - #083 "Make 'Em Laugh"
Tue 3-02-99 (4.30pm) - #064 "Read My Lips"
Wed 3-03-99 (4.30pm) - #067 "A Bullet for
Bullock"
Thu 3-04-99 (4.00pm) - #030 "Perchance to
Dream"
Fri 3-05-99 (4.00pm) - #066 "Sideshow"
Sat 3-06-99 (8.00am) - #106 "Mad Love"
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 3-01-99: (#23) "Vendetta"
Tue 3-02-99: (#24) "Fear of Victory"
Wed 3-03-99: (#25) "The Clock King"
Thu 3-04-99: (#26) "Appointment in Crime Alley"
Fri 3-05-99: (#27) "Mad as a Hatter"
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 3/1 - (season 3/show 26) "Minerva Mayhem
Millions" - Minerva
Tue 3/2 - (1/01) "Hi Diddle Riddle" - Riddler
Wed 3/3 - (1/02) "Smack in the Middle" -
Riddler
Thu 3/4 - (1/03) "Fine Feathered Finks" -
Penguin
Fri 3/5 - (1/04) "Penguin's a Jinx" - Penguin
The European satellite channel "Trouble" also
airs the 1960's show at 7am and 11am every morning.
TV NEWS
*********
BATMAN BEYOND ON VIDEO
----------------------
The Batman Beyond premiere episodes "Rebirth"
Parts 1 & 2 will be coming to video in May
THE LAST BATMAN STORY ?
-------------------------
BATMAN'S FINAL CURRENT-DAY ANIMATED APPEARANCE! This
episode "Demon Reborn", originally entitled "Rise of the
Demon", features Batman and Superman teaming up to take down Ra's Al
Ghul.This episode will probably air in May.
WGN TO DROP KIDS WB?
----------------------
There was some report in Cinescape magazine that the WGN
superstation (from Chicago) may not be hosting the WB network starting
September of 1999. Over
50% of WB viewers use JUST THAT CHANNEL so it'd be a real
pity to see it go.
KIDS' WB! ORDERS 13 MORE EPISODES OF BATMAN BEYOND
------------------------------------------------------
On January 20, Susanne Daniels, President of
Entertainment for The WB, announced that based on the overwhelming response to
the initial airings of Batman Beyond on The WB's primetime line-up and on Kids
WB!, the network has ordered 13 additional episodes of the all-new series which
will be ready for the start of the 1999-2000 season.
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
BATMAN BEYOND WEB-SITE OPEN
-----------------------------
The official Batman Beyond web site opened on Saturday,
February 6. With a "kick-off event" on Friday, Feb. 5.
(http://www.BatmanBeyond.com )
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.
ON THE NEWSSTANDS
******************
BATMAN TOY AND COLLECTIBLES PRICE GUIDE Vol 3. #4 -
February 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As ever the BT&CPG provides excellent value and is an
invaluable resource for any serious Bat collector. Avialable by subscription
only, contact John Mack ([email protected]) for more information, or visit the
web site at http://www.btcpg.com
COMIC BOOK MARKETPLACE #66 - January 1999
-----------------------------------------
This month's CBM contains a fascinating article on the
creation of another "Batman" back in 1932, several years before Bob
Kane came up with the character we know
today.
TOY FARE #20 - April 1999
-------------------------
Included in the polybag on this month's Toy Far is a
special booklet looking ahead at the upcoming BATMAN BEYOND toy series.
WIZARD #92 - April 1999
-----------------------
- The News section
contains a small item on the possible Batman musical (already reported here in
GWN).
- "Last Woman Standing" pitches Catwoman
against Marvel's Black Widow with illustration by Jim Balent.
- "Tomorrow
Knight" a 5 page feature article on the making of Batman Beyond.
- "Top 10 Heroes" - Batman at #3.
- "Book Of The Month" - Nightwing #31
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
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.
KANSAS CITY KS - March 27-28
-------------------------------
The PLANET COMICON (http://www.planetcomics.com ) at the
Overland International Trade Center, 115th & Metcalf, Overland Park, KS.
Features DEVIN GRAYSON among the listed guests.
OAKLAND CA - April 16-18
------------------------
WONDER-CON (http://www.wondercon.com )at the Oakland
Convention center, 1001 Broadway at 10th Street in Oakland CA bills itself as
Northern California's largest convention. Guests this year include DAN
BRERETON, PAUL DINI and BRUCE TIMM.
PITTSBURGH PA - April 23-25
--------------------------
The PITTSBURGH COMICON (http://www.pittsburghcomicon.com
)takes place this year at the Pittsburgh Expomart, Monroeville PA. Guests
include SCOTT MCDANIEL.
NEW ORLEANS May 28-30
----------------------
The BIG EASY COMIC CON ( http://www.bigeasycon.com ) at
the Hilton Riverside Hotel in downtown New Orleans features special guest ADAM
WEST.
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
************
THAT MAN AGAIN !
----------------
Does director Joel Schumacher plan to be involved with a
new Batman movie any time soon? "I'd do another, but not for a
while," he said while promoting his current film 8MM, "and I think
the next one will be a hard-core Batman." Cinescape also reports hearing
from Schumacher. Schumacher told the on-line magazine that he's serious about
his intentions to use Frank Miller's Batman: Year One as the basis for the next
movie. The article quotes the director as saying, "I like the idea of
Frank Miller's comic book series ... called Batman: Year One. In it, Bruce
Wayne is 20 and he's becoming Batman. Alfred [Wayne's butler] is only 40 and Commissioner
Gordon is 30 and just married." Following on from this Scifi.com reports
this week that the fifth Batman feature film will star an unknown actor as a
20-year-old version of Batman similar to the one portrayed in Frank Miller's
Batman: Year One.
WORLDS FINEST MOVIE !!
-------------------
Corona Coming Attractions started a huge buzz recently
with a report that a World's Finest movie, featuring Batman and Superman is in
the proposal stages at Warner Bros. An
anonymous source told CCA that director Richard Donner has made a preliminary
proposal to WB for such a movie. According to CCA's source Donner is pitching
the concept as a way to jumpstart Superman and revitalize Batman at the same
time. According to the scoop, the movie is shooting for Summer 2000, which is
already crowded with potential comic adaptations. However, with two characters
in the title that are separately bankable, the scooper feels that WB will give
Donner the nod.
Cinescape then picked up the story and checked with
sources at Donner's production company Donner/Shuler-Donner for verification.
The source assured Cinescape that Richard Donner did not make such a proposal
to WB. The online magazine does point out that Jon Peters, who is currently the
producer behind both franchises, had hinted at the possibility of a
Superman/Batman pairing in an interview last October.
Shortly thereafter, the CCA folks responded to the
Cinescape posting. CCA said that, while the official line from
Donner/Shuler-Donner may be that World's Finest isn't happening, they still
stand behind their story.
CATWOMAN PITCH KO'D
----------------------
Dark Horizons reports that the recently discussed
Catwoman feature film (as reported in the last issue of GWN) has been
nixed. Citing Batman: The Animated
Newsletter, DH reports that the idea did come up and was in discussion for
development, but Warner Bros. has apparently said 'no' to the pitch.
IN THE STORES
***************
KENNER NAME TO VANISH FROM BATMAN ACTION FIGURES
-------------------------------------------------
Hasbro is completely dropping the Kenner brand name from
its toys. Hasbro spokesperson Holly Ingram confirmed that it will take nearly a
year to phase out the Kenner name, but all products released in 1999 will bear
only the Hasbro label.
NEW BATMAN GAMES ON THE WAY
-----------------------------
Ubi Soft Entertainment and Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment have signed a licensing agreement to create interactive
adventures for Batman. The will team up in 2000 to offer titles that will give
an "interactive life" to the heroes, villains and settings of the
Batman animated series.
The agreement encompasses all formats, including PC
CD-Rom, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation. Design
work has already begun at Ubi Soft's production studios in New York.
=============================================================================
THE LATEST ISSUE OF GOTHAM GAZETTE is now available.
Issue #31 can be found at
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp (Note the new URL)
This month:
Art Gallery - Readers Art
Alfred Awards for 1998 - The full results
Comics - More No Man's Land info ,"Realworlds"
projects and Gaiman/Bisley to do a Batman story.
Comics Shipping In February & March
Classic Comic Revisited - Brave & Bold #197
Fan Fiction - Alfred Remembers "The Night".
Movies - The Cat
Prowls again ?
Quiz Page - Alfred Award Winners .
Trivia Page - Elseworlds listings plus Who Knows ?
TV - "Batman Beyond
- Episode Guide" .
Plus a new Archive section containing the best
Fan-Fiction from past issues.
- 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.