*************************************************************
GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #79
Friday 7th
May 1999
*************************************************************
WELCOME
==========
WHAT HAPPENED TO LAST WEEK'S GWN?
--------------------------------
If you wondered what happened to GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS last
week, you weren't alone. We received a number of e-mails asking where GWN was.
The answer was, it was on my laptop ready to go but I couldn't send it out. I
was out on the road last week with the "day-job" and a co-worker sent
me a file that crashed my e-mail systems. I couldn't reinstate the e-mail until
I got home over the weekend - so no GWN. Sorry, but hopefully this week's issue
will be packed full of enough Bat stuff to make up for it.
BOOK NEWS
-----------
"The Unauthorized BATMAN Collectors Guide" is
now available at the Borders web site (http://Borders.com ) and has just
arrived on the shelves of the better bookstores round the country. Look for it
in either the "Collectibles" section or the "Graphic
Novels" section (that's where my local Barnes & Noble racked it
anyway.)
Of course you can still order a signed copy direct from
us. See the section at the end of the newsletter.
As always, have a great week.
Alan J. Porter
PO Box 527
Millersville
MD 21108
USA
[email protected] / [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUE OF GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS:
=====================================
Comics Shipping Next Week
Comics News
Comics Sales Charts
Book Of The Week - Review
TV Show Schedules
TV News
On-Line Happenings
Meet The Bat-Team
On The Newsstands
Letters To GWN
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (May 12th)
***************************************
AZREAL: AGENT OF THE BAT #54
By O'Neil & Robinson
There's a new serial killer named the Death Dancer on the
loose in Gotham and unless Azreal can stop him, his next victim might be
Oracle. ($2.25)
BATMAN: BOOK OF THE DEAD #2
By Moench & Kitson
In the innermost recesses of the scared temples of Egypt,
Bruce Wayne discovers the secrets of his past and the fate of the alien
Bat-God, Nekhrun. ($4.95)
BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #87
By Rucka & Deadoato Jr.
"Claim Jumping" Part 2. As Batman and Gordon
contend with the first major turf war in Gotham, the new Batgirl faces an
agonizing choice. ($1.99).
IMPULSE #50
By DeZago & Van Sciver
The never before told meeting between Impulse and the
Dark Knight as they join forces to stop The Joker. ($2.25)
NIGHTWING #33
By Dixon & McDaniel
Nightwing interrupts his studies at the Police Academy to
track down Double Dare, the acrobatic French duo that has been committing
robberies all over Bludhaven. ($1.99)
NO MAN'S LAND GALLERY
By various
Some of comics best artists share their visions of
various DC characters caught against a backdrop of the ravaged Gotham. ($3.95)
COMICS NEWS
************
TIM SALE SIGNS EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT WITH DC
--------------------------------------------
DC Comics is pleased to announce that it has signed
artist Tim Sale to join the growing list of the industry's best artists and
writers already working exclusively with DC.
Tim Sale first brought his distinctive linework and
graceful graphic storytelling ability to DC with three popular Batman Halloween
specials (written by Jeph Loeb and collected in the trade paperback BATMAN:
HAUNTED KNIGHT). Growing more ambitious, the team followed them with the
acclaimed 13-issue maxi-series BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN.
Loeb and Sale are already hard at work on the sequel to
THE LONG HALLOWEEN, another 13-issue maxi-series entitled BATMAN: DARK VICTORY.
According to DARK VICTORY's editor Mark Chiarello, "Tim brings an
atmosphere and mood to Batman that is somehow both completely new and unique
and yet completely integral to the character's history. His draftsmanship,
design and storytelling abilities have all helped makes BATMAN: THE LONG
HALLOWEEN one of the outstanding comics stories of recent years. I'm looking
forward to seeing more of the same high level of work in DARK VICTORY."
NEW RIDDLER / HUNTRESS STORY
---------------------------
D. G. Chichester has written a Riddler/Huntress story for
Batman 80-Page Giant #2. "It's a short 10-page story called 'Hunting for
Answers' that puts the two up against each other for the first time,"
Chichester said. "Huntress thinks Nigma's gonna be as easy a take-down as
some of her wiseguy 'boyfriends,' but finds that the villain's peculiar
obsession puts her to the test ... and forces her to choose between saving
lives and busting the crook."
UPDATE FROM DEVIN GRAYSON
-----------------------
The Newsrama web site reports that Devin Grayson, in
addition to her previously announced next contribution to Batman's No Man's
Land year-long event - a 38-page Leslie Thompkins story for The Batman
Chronicles #18 with penciler Dale (Fear of Faith) Eaglesham - is also set to
handle Superman's next visit to Gotham in Shadow of the Bat #92 (Oct.)
The story will touch on similar themes as Superman's
recent first visit to Gotham and the upcoming JLA issues exploring Batman's
teammates' reaction, but Grayson reports that this next meeting happens at a
very different time and place for both characters.
"Obviously, at some level, it is a continuation of
those themes," explained the writer. "But both Superman (due to
Superman: King of the World) and Batman (due to escalating events in No Man's
Land) have learned a lot since their last meeting...about themselves, about how
to handle their responsibilities, and, to some extent, about the relationships
in their lives. So although Batman's initially suspicious of his presence, I
have Superman coming into NML Gotham in a slightly more low-key, gentle manner
than he did last time, and it ends up making a difference in the interaction
between the two men. Gotham's still in trouble, and Superman still wants to
help, of course, but this story isn't an exact replaying of the earlier meeting
we witnessed between them. These stories they've been involved with since then
have changed them, and those changes are evident."
WORLD'S FINEST ART CHANGE
---------------------------
Peter Doherty is the new artist of Batman & Superman:
World's Finest, replacing Dave Taylor.
MORE CROSS-OVERS ON THE WAY
----------------------
DC and Dark Horse have announced plans for further
cross-over books featuring characters either owned or licensed by the two
companies. Among those announced are:
Batman/Tarzan, by
Ron Marz with art by Igor Kordey
And The Joker/The Mask, (creative team to be announced).
Newsrama reports that the 4-issue Batman/Tarzan is
closest to publication, scheduled for a September debut. Written by Ron (Green
Lantern) Marz with art by Igor Kordey (with painted covers by Dave Dorman),
according to Marz, "The story takes place in Gotham, the jungle, and in
the best tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs, a lost city. I'm trying to balance
the Batman mythos against the Burroughs mythos. They're really quite similar
characters - orphaned nobleman (though not literally aristocracy in Bruce
Wayne's case) trained to the peak of human form, protecting their respective
'jungles.' The antagonist is someone called Dent. My intent with him is almost
Indiana Jones gone bad, an archaeologist/treasure hunter motivated by
greed."
"As far as setting goes, it's really non-specific in
that we're not putting a definite year to it. The readers are free to decide
where it fits in. For design purposes, we're thinking of it as 1939 or so, a
period appropriate to Tarzan and well as Batman in a historical rather than
continuity context. The Batman will have a very 'Year One' look to him."
"I'm really looking forward to it, though I have to
confess to being a bit nervous dealing with a pair of American icons. Igor's
worked on some of Dark Horse's previous Tarzan material and I was hoping to
have a real 'J. Allen St. John' look to the project, very true to Tarzan's
roots and yet very appropriate to a 'pulp' Batman.' Igor's pretty much done
with the first issue and it looks great - a very pulpy, illustrative feel to
it, which was just what I was looking for."
BATMAN BEYOND PROMOTIONAL COMIC UPDATE
------------------------------------------
Due to a production error at DC, the BATMAN BEYOND
PROMOTIONAL COMIC has been delayed. DC now expect to have copies available to
arrive in-store on May 19.
LATE SHIPPING
-----------------
The following items will ship later than originally
planned:
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT ARCHIVES #1 new printing will now
ship 5/12/99 (originally scheduled for 4/28/99)
BATMAN: THE BOOK OF SHADOWS will now ship 5/26/99
(originally scheduled for 4/28/99)
YOUNG JUSTICE IN NO MAN'S LAND #1 will now ship 5/26/99
(originally scheduled for 5/19/99)
COMICS SALES CHARTS
********************
BATMAN related titles achieved the following positions in
the Direct Market sales charts for issues cover dated MAY 1999. (Source: Wizard #94 and Comics International #106)
8 - JLA #29 (up 1)
30 - Batman #565 (up 4)
35 - Titans #3 (down 4)
37 - Detective #732 (up 1)
49 - Nightwing #31 (down 10)
58 - Shadow Of The Bat #84 (up 2)
64 - Batman & Superman: World's Finest #2 (down 16)
65 - Legends Of The Dark Knight #117 (down 3)
66 - Young Justice #8 (down 10)
76 - Robin #64 (down 6)
80 - Catwoman #68 (down 6)
89 - Batman: Joker's Apprentice #1 (NEW)
90 - Anarky #1 (NEW)
100 - Birds Of Prey #5 (down 11)
101 - Azrael #52 (down 4)
102 - Young Justice 80 Page Giant (NEW)
103 - Batman: Nosferatu (NEW)
105 - Batman Beyond #3 (down 14)
128 - Batman: Gotham Adventures (down 19)
The average chart position for the 9 regular Batman
titles in May 1999 was 56.
The ACP for the Bat titles so far this year are Jan: 61,
Feb: 68, Mar 54, Apr 54.
BOOK OF THE WEEK - REVIEW
**************************
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #118
"Balance"
Writer: Greg Rucka. Art: James Pearson & James
Hodgkins. Color: Rob Schwager. Letters: Albert Guzman. Editors: Joe Illidge
& Jordan Gorfinkel.
With all the hype and the strong multi-part stories
running through No man's Land at the moment, this is one that may easily be
overlooked. After all it has Alfred as its lead character. There's little
action, no mysterious Batgirl and very little action and even less Batman. But
it's a gem. OK the artwork tends to swing between a cartoony style and a degree
of exaggerated realism. The anatomy and perspective are occasionally off - to
my eye at least. But the story rises above that. This is a story of devotion -
not only Alfred's devotion to his master but to his cause as well. It's rare
that a story is written that allows Alfred to step out from the shadows and
display his varied talents. That makes this story all the more enjoyable.
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
BATMAN MOVIES ON TV
----------------------
BATMAN & ROBIN - Friday, May 7 at 9:30 a.m. and 5:45
p.m. on HBO.
BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO - will be airing on
CARTOON NETWORK on May 22nd at 8pm (ET) as apart of their CARTOON THEATRE
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!
5/8/99 (9:30 am) --#12 "Disappearing Inque" -
NEW EPISODE
5/15/99 (9:30 am) --#11 "A Touch of Curare" -
NEW EPISODE
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 5/8/99 (8:00 am) #103 - "The Demon Within"
Mon 5/10/99 (4:00 pm) #72 - "Harlequinade"
Tue 5/11/99 (4:30 pm) #14 - "Heart of Ice"
Wed 5/12/99 (4:30 pm) #88 - "Cold Comfort"
Thu 5/13/99 (4:00 pm) #18 - "Beware the Grey
Ghost"
Fri 5/14/99 (4:30 pm) #93 - "Growing Pains"
Sat 5/15/99 (8:00 am) #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 and 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 1.30pm (EDT) Monday thru Friday.
Mon 5/10 - (season 3/show 26) "Minerva Mayhem
Millions" - Minerva
Tue 5/11 - (2/11) "Clock King's Crazy Crime" -
Clock King
Wed 5/12 - (2/12) "Clock King Gets Crowned" -
Clock King
Thu 5/13 - (2/13) "The Minstrel's Shakedown" - The
Minstrel
Fri 5/14 - (2/14) "Barbecued Batman" - The
Minstrel
The European satellite channel "Trouble" also
airs the 1960's show at 7am and 11am every morning.
TV NEWS
**********
MORE DETAILS ON BATMAN BEYOND VIDEO
-----------------------------------
Batman Beyond: The Movie -- will debut on May 18
featuring a repacakging of the first two episodes into one story:
"Rebirth."
The video is being offered in conjunction with Warner
Home Video's year-long Century Collection promotion, will be part of a special
group called "Totally Batman." Also included are the hits Batman:
Mask of Phantasm, Batman and Mr. Freeze: Subzero, The Batman/Superman Movie and
Superman:The Last Son of Krypton. (Not sure how this lst one fits into a Batman
promotion?) All five titles are available at their lowest price ever.
To further enhance the value, several premiums and
discount offers will be included. There will be free Batman Beyond: The Movie
posters on all videos as well as free comic books and rebate offers from Act II
Popcorn and Jello Yogurt. Each video will include more than $300 in consumer
savings offers
BATMAN TV REUNION
------------------
The May 6th taping of the "Donnie & Marie"
show at Sony Studios, Culver City, CA was dubbed a BATMAN REUNION SHOW. As
scheduled to appear were ADAM WEST (Batman), BURT WARD (Robin), FRANK GORSHIN
(Riddler), YVONNE CRAIG (Batgirl) and LEE MERIWETHER (Catwoman).
No news of a transmission date as yet.
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
NEW DC FAN-FIC SITE OPENS
---------------------------
DCX is a new fan fiction website that offers monthly
short story installments, or "issues," for 30 series titles that are
based on the major (and even some minor) heroes from the DC Universe.
Essentially, it's a fan-fic version of DC itself, with ongoing story arcs
published in monthly titles, and even a crossover or two once in awhile.
Twice a month, new stories will appear on the DCX
website, www.imagine-that.org/DCX/ . DCX's debut is May 23, when 13 titles will
publish their first issues online. The remainder of the titles will debut on
the DCX site on June 6.
Nine of the 30 DCX titles are Batman-related, including
two titles dedicated solely to Batman himself (one published every two weeks,
beginning with one
on May 23 and one on June 6). Seven other titles star
Batman's, ah, teammates. These include Robin (published May 23), Catwoman (June
6), Nightwing (June 6), Batgirl (May 23), Azrael (May 23), Huntress (May 23),
and Oracle (newly added, starting on June 20).
BT&CPG WEB-SITE ADDS FEATURES
----------------------
The "Batman Toy and Collectors Guide" site has
added a message board and a Classified Ads section. Check them out at
http://www.btcpg.com
NEW BAT WEB-SITES
--------------------
Batcave of Collectibles -
http://www.toymarket.com/batcave
BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
---------------------------
Batman Animated Newsletter - Tim Leighton
([email protected])
"Claw Marks" the Catwoman Newsletter - William
Tyler ([email protected])
Batman UK - Monthly Newsletter - Brian Davis
(http://members.aol.com/BDavis2613/mailer.html)
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
NEW YORK - May 7 - 9
-----------------------
The NEW YORK COMIC AND FANTASY CREATORS CONVENTION
(http://www.innervisioncomics.com)will be held at Madison Square Garden. Among
the attendees will be recently departed Bat-editor JORDAN GORFINKEL and
legendary Bat artists NEAL ADAMS and DICK GIORDANO.
a
NOVI MI - May 14-16
----------------------
This year's MOTOR CITY COMIC CON (http://motorcityconventions.com)
is at the Novie Expo Center, 43700 Expo Center Drive in Novi Michigan. Guests
include SHELDON MOLDOFF, MARK WAID, TV's Riddler FRANK GORSHIN and the movie's
first Harvey Dent BILLY DEE WILLIAMS
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 plus SHELDON MOLDOFF.
NASHVILLE TN - June 5-6
-----------------------
CELEBRITY CON'99 has been cancelled.
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. Also just announced, ADAM WEST and FRANK GORSHIN.
SAN DIEGO CA - August 12th-15th
------------------------------
The COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL (www.comic-con.org) has its
30th event at the San Diego convention center. Among the guest already
announced is Golden Age great JERRY ROBINSON (Bob Kane's first assistant and
"creator" of The Joker).
Plus, your humble GWN editor will be in attendance.
ON THE NEWSSTANDS
*****************
WIZARD #94 - June 1999
-----------------------
"Revin Up Harley" gives more details on the
upcoming enterance of harley Quinn into comics continuity.
"Just Look Ahead" gives an insight into writer
Mark Waid's plans for the JLA.
"Top 10 Heroes" places batman at #4
This month's "Character Profile" spotlights
Robin.
"Report Card" reviews Young Justice and gives
it a D-
"Top 10 Comics" places Shadow Of The Bat #83 at
#1 and Batman #563 at #5.
LETTERS TO GWN
***************
YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS
----------------------
Hi Alan
A while back I asked you to post the question of who they
thought should be on a list of Top 50 Batman artists. Well the poll is
complete. While the list fell short of 50, I did get at least 34 names. I
posted the list at http://members.tripod.com/~ajeewa/index.html if anyone wants
to see. it. I would also like to thank your readers for their help - Ahmed
Jeewa
====================================================================
HOW TO ORDER OUR NEW BATMAN BOOK
********************************
"THE UNAUTHORIZED BATMAN COLLECTORS GUIDE" by Alan J. Porter
The most comprehensive guide to Batman 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 collectibles ever assembled between two covers.
Nearly 300 photographs accompany the informative articles and detailed 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
Sample pages can be found on the web at
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp/book.htm
=============================================================================
THE LATEST ISSUE OF GOTHAM GAZETTE is now available.
Issue #32 can be found at
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp
This month:
* Art Gallery - Readers Art
* Alfred Awards for 1998
* Comics - News of over 10 new Batman projects plus a NML
update.
* Comics Shipping In May & June.
* Classic Comic Revisited - Brave & Bold #184.
* Fan Fiction - The start of a Highlander / Batman
cross-over.
* Movies - Next Animated Batman Movie Announced
* Quiz Page - How much do you know about The Huntress ?
* Trivia Page - Who did Robin impersonate in Batman #302
?
* TV - 1st Batman Beyond video release .
Plus an 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 Heroes
(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", "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.
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.