*************************************************************
GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #89
Saturday
17th July 1999
*************************************************************
WELCOME
==========
This week - A Day Late
----------------------
The day job got in the way again this week <g>. I
was on the road again all week and didn't really get much chance to pull this
week's GWN together until fairly late. In order to make sure you got all the
latest news I decided to wait and publish on Saturday this week.
Hope you enjoy this belated issue and 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
Book Of The Week - Review
TV Show Schedules
TV News
On-Line Happenings
Batman Fanzines
Meet The Bat-Team
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (July 21st)
***************************************
BATMAN #569
Written by Janet Harvey; art by Sergio Cariello and Matt
Ryan; cover by Phil Jimenez.
The new Batgirl takes center stage as Batman gives her a
surprising assignment of desperate importance to "No Man's Land." Her
task: to protect a gas station and its owner from thugs and gang members who
want to take the fuel the station contains for their own use...fuel that
provides needed power to the sick and injured Gothamites struggling for
survival. (32 pages, $1.99)
BATMAN & SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #6
Written by Karl Kesel; art and cover by Dave Taylor and
Robert Campanella.
The maxi-series tracing the history of Batman's and
Superman's relationship through the years continues as the heroes trade
identities. The result of some mischief by Mr. Mxyzptlk, the contrast between
Batman's efforts to be superhuman with Superman's efforts to be human reveals
interesting aspects of the two heroes' costumed identities, as well as their relationships
with Robin and Lois Lane. And what does Bat-Mite have to do with all this? (32
pages, $1.99)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ARCHIVES VOLUME 5
Written by Gardner Fox; art and cover by Mike Sekowsky
and Bernard Sachs.
The hardcover reprints of the Silver Age adventures of
the Justice League of America continue with this handsome volume, reprinting
Justice League of America #31-38 and #40 (240 pages, hardcover book, $49.95)
THE TITANS #7
Written by Devin Grayson; art by Mark Buckingham and Wade
Von Grawbadger; cover by Buckingham and Kevin Conrad.
The deadly drug called Velocity 10 can only be stopped by
the Titans in part one of a two-part adventure. Speed kills...especially the
kind given by Velocity 10. Searching for the "ultimate rush" has made
Lian's babysitter's roommate a casualty, and more victims are being created by
the minute. Can even Jesse Quick keep up with V-10's users? (32 pages, $2.50)
COMICS NEWS
*************
MAJOR REVAMP ON BATMAN COMICS FOR 2000
--------------------------------------
DC Comics has publicly announced its plans for the Batman
line of titles for next year, following the conclusion of No Man's Land.
- Detective Comics:
- ----------------
- Will focus on the crime in Gotham City and Batman's
interaction with the GCPD
- Writer: Greg Rucka, Artist: Shawn Martinbrough
-
- Batman:
- ------
- Batman as a superhero
- Writer: Larry Hama, Artist: Scott McDaniel, Inks: Karl
Story
-
- Batman: Shadow of the Bat
- --------------------------
- Canceled and replaced with
-
- Batman: Gotham Knights,
- -----------------------
- Writer: Devin Grayson, Artist: Dale Eaglesham, Inks:
John Floyd
-
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
- -----------------------------------
- Return to its original format of rotating creative
teams telling multi-part stories. Bob Schreck will edit.
Changes to the Batman "family" books are as
follws:
- Nightwing: Chuck Dixon (w), Greg Land (p), Drew Geraci
(I)
- Birds of Prey: Chuck Dixon (w), Jackson Guice (a)
- Robin: Chuck Dixon (w), Pete Woods (p), Jesse
Delperdang (I)
- Catwoman: Bronwyn Carlton (w), Staz Johnson (p), Wayne
Faucher (I).
All new teams will begin with January 2000 issues of
their respective titles.
NO MORE ANARKY
--------------
It's being reported that Alan Grant & Norm
Breyfogle's spin-off monthly featuring BATMAN villain/antihero ANARKY will be
cancelled as of #8
ELSEWORLDS 80 PAGE GIANT PULLED
-------------------------------
The Elseworlds 80 Page Giant that was due in stores on
June 30th was recalled by DC and all copies were ordered to be destroyed by DC
Publisher Paul Levitz following concerns over the content of a
"Superbaby" story.
The book was scheduled to include several Batman related
stories. No word yet on if, and when, these stories will be rescheduled.
However it seems that several copies escaped the
destruction order and shipped to London and Dublin where they have been on sale
for a few weeks.
MISC COMICS NEWS
----------------
- John Cassaday
will be providing the covers to Batman #572 and Detective Comics #739.
BOOK OF THE WEEK - Review
***************************
BATMAN: BOOK OF THE SHADOWS
---------------------------
Writers: Pat Mills & Debbie Gallagher. Illustrator:
Duke Mighten
Color: Digital Chameleon. Letters: Bill Oakley
Editor: Jordan Gorfinkel
At long last the much delayed Batman: Book Of Shadows
arrived in stores, was it worth the wait? In a word - No.
The first 8 pages offered a great set-up. They were
mysterious, foreboding, full of mystery and tension along with one of the best
"Batman against the Gotham skyline" pages I have ever seen - and then the "Alien" rip-off
arrived. After that the book degenerated into another strange cabal of
bloodsucking monsters out to prey on the innocent plot. This one has been
recycled so many times, heck DC even managed to make an "Annual
Event" out of it six years ago. ("Bloodlines" anyone ?. Maybe
wrapping the story around the Tarot cards was meant to add a level of
sophistication and metaphor - but not being an aficionado of Tarot - it was
lost on me.
Duke Mighten's artwork was in places very cool,
especially his dark and brooding Batman, the Gotham cityscape and a very cool
Batmobile. But the fight sequences were confusing. Maybe the design of the
"monsters" didn't help, but in the final showdown I totally lost
track of who was doing what to whom.
These sort of long delayed and expensive ($6!)
"specials" do little to encourage new comics readers and often
alienate long time readers.
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
BATMAN MOVIES ON TV
--------------------
- The Encore
Network is showing the 1966 Adam West BATMAN movie this week on Saturday July
17th at 2.30pm and Sunday July 18th at 5.40am!
- HBO continues to
air 1997's BATMAN & ROBIN throughout July. Upcoming show dates include
Thursday, July 22 at 3 p.m.; and Sunday, July 25 at 11:15 a.m.
BATMAN BEYOND
---------------
The new futuristic look at the world of the new Dark
Knight is currently rerunning its first season at 9.30am (ET) Saturdays on the
KidsWB!
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
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 7/19 - (season 2/show 60) "The Duo Defy" -
Mr. Freeze
Tue 7/20 - (3/01) "Enter Batgirl Exit Penguin"
- Penguin
Wed 7/21 - (3/02) "Ring Round Riddler" -
Riddler & Siren
Thu 7/22 - (3/03) "The Wail of the Siren" -
Riddler & The Siren
Fri 7/23 - (3/04) "The Sport of Penguins" -
Lola Lasagne & Penguin
The European satellite channel "Trouble" also
airs the 1960's show at 7am and 11am every morning.
TV NEWS
********
BATMAN BEYOND SPLICED
-------------------
In a recent interview with the Continuum web-site Batman
Beyond producer/writer Paul Dini said that a second-season episode of the
futuristic series will explore the hypothetical concept of "genetic
splicing."
The episode, titled "Splicing," will show teens
genetically splicing characteristics of animals onto their bodies to wear to
school as a fad. Examples are "cat's eyes" and tiger claws instead of
human fingernails. It's a similar idea to today's piercings and tattoos among
teens.
KidsWB CONTINUES TO GROW
-------------------------
Kids' WB! continues to grow in Saturday morning ratings,
thanks to hit shows like Batman Beyond. On Saturday, July 3, Kids' WB! was just
a tenth of a rating point behind ABC in the kids 2-11 demographic. Batman
Beyond was in second in boys 2-11 and boys 6-11. Just behind its WB stable mate
Pokemon.
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
ORIGINAL ART ON E-BAY
----------------------
Terry Beatty has asked that GWN passes on the fact that
he has been -- and will be -- selling Gotham Adventures and Batman Beyond
original art on ebay...? Seller ID is:
[email protected]
BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
---------------------------
Batman Animated Newsletter - Tim Leighton
([email protected])
Claw Marks: The Catwoman Fan Club Newsletter - Lynx
Delirium
Batman UK - Monthly Newsletter - Brian Davis
(http://members.aol.com/BDavis2613/mailer.html)
BATMAN FANZINES
****************
BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS PRICE GUIDE
---------------------------------
A must for any serious Batman collector. To find out more
either check out the web-site (http://www.btcpg.com ) or e-mail editor John
Mack at [email protected] . -AVAILABLE NOW the "All Action Figure"
issue.
UNOFFICIAL BATMAN ANIMATED FAN-CLUB
-------------------------------------
The club will consist of a fanzine - 'a fan made
magazine'
with news, reviews, 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 (ie - you only pay for paper and ink
costs) based in the UK but USA members are welcome too. If you would like more
information please send your name, address, phone number and e-mail to
[email protected]
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
CHICAGO IL - July 16-18
----------------------
This year's WIZARD WORLD show is being held at the
Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago. Among the guests announced are FRANK
MILLER and MARK WAID. A special edition of BATMAN: DARK VICTORY #0 will also be
available at the show.
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), the creative team behind the Batman Animated
TV shows, PAUL DINI and BRUCE TIMM.
Other BATMAN related creators listed as attending
includes:
JIM BALENT, MIKE BARR, DAN BRERETON, PAUL GULACY, FRANK
MILLER, GLEN ORBIK and JULIUS SCHWARTZ.
Plus, your humble GWN editor will also be in attendance.
====================================================================
HOW TO ORDER OUR NEW 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
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 #33 can be found at
http://members.aol.com/gothamajp
This month:
* Art Gallery - Batgirl in the spotlight
* Alfred Awards for 1998
* Comics -NML The Missing Chapter.
* Comics Shipping In July & August.
* Classic Comic Revisited - BATMAN Movie Adaptations .
* Fan Fiction - Highlander / Batman cross-over continues.
* Movies - "Year One", "World's
Finest" or "The Joker" ?
* Quiz Page - BATMAN: The Movie
* Trivia Page -More Elesworlds Batmen discovered
* TV - Full Episode Guide to Batman Beyond Season 1 .
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/index.html)
- 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.