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GOTHAM
WEEKLY NEWS #93
Friday
20th August 1999
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WELCOME
==========
First off a heart felt thanks to those of you that I meet
and chatted to at San Diego. The con was great fun and it was a pleasure to get
to know a few more fellow bat fanatics and comics professionals.
This week's GWN comes to you from around 35,000 feet as I
type this on a flight home from Seattle after a brief business trip to the
Pacific Northwest.
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
Eisner Awards
Book Of The Week - Review
TV Show Schedules
Movie News
On-Line Happenings
Batman Fanzines
Meet The Bat-Team
================================================================
COMICS SHIPPING OVER THE NEXT WEEK
***************************************
DAY OF JUDGMENT #1
Written by Geoff Johns; art and cover by Matt Smith and
Steve Mitchell.
The Spectre menaces the DC Universe in a crossover event.
The Demon Etrigan helps the fallen angel Azmodel (last seen in JLA: Paradise
Lost) seize control of the supernatural power of The Spectre. Now the condemned
dead are rising, Hell has literally frozen over, and Earth will burn to a
cinder, unless DC's greatest heroes can win a staggering battle on three
fronts: Earth, Heaven and Hell itself. (40 pages, $2.95)
ANARKY #7
Written by Alan Grant; art and cover by Norm Breyfogle
and Joe Rubinstein.
It's the Day of Judgment for Washington, D.C. War engulfs
America's capital as heroes and miscreants of yesteryear rise from the grave,
resuming their age-old conflicts. Anarky learns firsthand the horrors of this
uncontrolled violence even as the Haunted Tank rushes onto the scene. (32
pages, $2.50)
BATMAN: DAY OF JUDGMENT
Written by Scott Beatty; art by Dean Zachary and Robert
Campanella; cover by Rodolfo Damaggio and Campanella.
Nightwing and Robin guest-star in a one-shot that finds
that the only event that can pull the Dark Knight away from "No Man's
Land" is the Day of Judgment. While Batman's outside Gotham, however, some
very strange things are happening as dead gangsters are rising from their
graves and trying to take back their old territories. It's up to Robin and
Nightwing to hold down the fort and rescue several of Oracle's operatives
who've crossed paths with the gang. The battle lines are drawn between good and
evil in Gotham, with Oracle herself caught in the middle. (48 pages, $3.95)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #18
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry
Beatty; cover by Bob Smith and Beatty.
Man-Bat is back. Kirk Langstrom's wife's disappearance
coincides with attacks by Man-Bat on numerous corporate labs. What's the
connection, and how can Batman stop the creature without one of them getting
killed? (32 pages, $1.99)
BIRDS OF PREY #11
Written by Chuck Dixon; art by Dick Giordano and Mark
Propst; cover by Greg Land and Brian Stelfreeze
It's all-out war as Black Canary and Oracle take extreme
measures to prevent the maniacal Dr. Pop and the superhuman Guy Gardner clone,
Joe Gardner, from destroying Koroscova and inciting an international war
between Koroscova and the United States. (32 pages, $1.99)
JLA 80-PAGE GIANT #2
Written by Christopher Priest, Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning,
Len Wein, and various; art by Cary Nord, David Bollen, Anthony Williams, and
various; cover by Dave Gibbons.
The World's Greatest Super-Heroes save the day in seven
all-new stories from throughout the team's history. Green Arrow Oliver Queen
faces BATMAN in an unlikely battle of wits (written by Christopher Priest with
art by Cary Nord); DC One Million's Justice Legion A must track an alien
armada's evil general in the 853rd century (written by Dan Abnett and Andy
Lanning with art by David Bollen); Wonder Woman, the HUNTRESS and Big Barda
spend some time time off together on Paradise Island (written by Jason
Hernandez-Rosenblatt with art by Yanick Paquette); (80 pages, $4.95)
YOUNG JUSTICE #14
Written by Peter David; art and cover by Todd Nauck and
Lary Stucker.
Day of Judgment brings back Young Justice's deadliest
villain, Harm. And his return reveals a lot about the team's little Secret,
while Red Tornado faces demons of his own. (32 pages, $2.50)
COMICS NEWS
*************
BATMAN GETS OVERHAUL FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
-----------------------------------------------
The world of Gotham City's best known resident is about
to go through a major makeover for the new century.
Look out for a new costume, new logos, a new Batcave, new
Wayne Manor and a new Batmobile.
As well as new locations in the hastily reconstructed
Gotham and new books and creative teams - two Batman core titles will undergo a
new design and debut a new coloring philosophy called "color keying"
designed by DC art director Mark Chiarello.
BATGIRL CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED
------------------------------
The new ongoing BATGIRL title Batgirl will be co-written
by Scott Peterson and Kelly Puckett, and illustrated by Damian Scott and John
Floyd. Word in San Diego was that the title's debut has been pulled forward
from mid 2000 to a February cover date to tie in with the new BATMAN 2000
redesign.
MARK WAID OIUTLINES HIS TAKE ON THE JLA
----------------------------------------
A pared-down team, Ra's Al Ghul, an oversized one-shot
and a crossover with
the JSA were among some of the plans New JLA writer Mark
Waid talked about his plans for the JLA in San Diego. They include fewer team
members and the appearance of classic Bat villain Ra's Al Ghul.
Waid said his JLA team will include what he calls the
"core group" Superman, BATMAN, Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern,
Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man.
NEW BATMAN TITLE WILL HAVE B&W BACK-UP
---------------------------------------
Batman: Gotham Knights, the replacement book for Shadow
Of The Bat, will have a lead 22 page story by Devin Grayson plus an 8 page
black & white story by a variety of creators. Among the first to contribute
will be Wildstorm supremo Jim Lee.
NEW HUNTRESS MINI-SERIES TO REVISIT ORIGIN
--------------------------------------------
Crime novelist and new Detective Comics writer, Greg
Rucka, is working on a Huntress mini-series that will examine Helena
Bertinelli's origins as The Huntress. Art will be by Rich Burchett
EISNER AWARDS FOR 1999
************************
This year's Eisner Awards were presented at the recent
San Diego Comic Con. Among the winners were:
- Best Title for a Younger Audience: Batman: The Gotham
Adventures, by Ty Templeton, Rick Burchett, and Terry Beatty (DC)
- Best Graphic Album-Reprint: Batman: The Long Halloween,
by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (DC)
- Best Comics-Related Book: Batman: Animated, by Paul
Dini and Chip Kidd (HarperCollins)
- Best Publication Design: Batman Animated, designed by
Chip Kidd (HarperCollins)
- Hall of Fame: 1999 Inductees included Murphy Anderson,
Bill Finger, Dick Sprang
Congratulations to all the winners, especially GWN
readers Ty Templeton, Rich Burchett, Terry Beatty and Chip Kidd.
BOOK OF THE WEEK - REVIEW
*************************
CATWOMAN: GUARDIAN OF GOTHAM #1
---------------------------------
Writer Doug Moench. Art by Jim Balent & Kim DeMulder.
Color by Wildstorm FX. Letters by Rick Parker
Editors" Dennis O'Neil & Joe Illidge
This new Elseworlds tale offers a "mirror universe"
look at the Batman mythos by gender swapping several of the main roles. Writer
Moench forsakes his usual "conspiracy" angle for what appears to be a
straight adventure yarn. Having said that, subtle background detail and
selected panels hint at deeper relationships and underlying political currents
that may not be obvious on a first reading.
Jim Balent, as always, draws a wonderful Catwoman. Here
she seems more athletic and "balletic" than in her normal title. His
skewed interpretation of several classic Bat villains is original yet at the
same time disturbingly familiar.
Balent's "demonic" Batman and Moench's clipped
dialog style give an air of perceived menace to the murderous creature of the
night that demonstrates just how close to the line the "real" Batman
walks.
If there is a down side to the book it's two-fold. As
much as I like Balent's art and his talent for drawing the female form. I think
that there are just too many cheesy "lingerie" shots in this one for
comfort (the female "Two-Face" and "Alfred" substitutes in
particular). My other criticism would once again be the price and format. A
good story certainly, but a $10 "prestige format" story ? (As it will
be after purchasing both parts ) I don't think so - especially in a month that DC
also published two other $5 books featuring Batman and a $25 hardcover graphic
novel !
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
BATMAN MOVIES ON TV
----------------------
BATMAN RETURNS returns to HBO in August for several
showings. The 1992 movie, will air on HBO on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 8 a.m. and 4
p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m.
BATMAN & ROBIN will be showing on Cinemax in August.
The 1997 movie, will air on Friday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 28 at
noon; and Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 4:15 p.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!
8/21/99 (9:30 am) -- "A Touch of Curare"
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
8/21/99 (8:00 am) -- "The Demon Within"
(Batman)
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.
The European satellite channel "Trouble" also
airs the 1960's show at 7am and 11am every morning.
MOVIE NEWS
*************
JOEL WANTS ANOTHER GO !!
-------------------------
Joel Schumacher
recently told the Popcorn Web site that he owes the "hardcore cult a
movie," and isprepared to direct
another Batman movie. He went on to say that he was "surprised by the
reaction to Batman and Robin".
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
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 [email protected]. -AVAILABLE NOW the "All Batmobile" 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
********************
NOVI MI - October 23-24
-----------------------
Guests for the Motor City Comic Con on Oct. 23-24 at the
Novi Expo Center will include JOHN OSTRANDER and MARK WAID.
====================================================================
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 & Bill Finger
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.