*************************************************************
*************************************************************
VOTE FOR ORCALE
-----------------
COMICS CAMPAIGN 2000 will entered its final phase today, as
visitors to the TONYPOLLS webpage can now vote for the president of the
"Earth-Tony" version of these United States of America. The Presidential candidate for the DC Party
is our own Barbara Gordon. So head on over to http://www.famousdesigns.com/wfcomics/tony/tonypoll.cgi?start
and put Orcale in the Oval Office.
For our readers in the
As always, have a great week.
Alan J. Porter
Millersville
MD 21108
E-mail: ajp@toad.net
IN THIS ISSUE OF
=====================================
This Week In Bat History
Comics Shipping Next Week
Comics News
TV Show Schedules
TV News
Movie News
Meet The Bat-Team
On-Line Happenings
Fanzines & Fan-Clubs
======================================================
THIS WEEK IN BAT HISTORY
**************************
July 6th is the Birthday of TV’s original Boy
Wonder – Burt Ward.
========================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (July 6th)
***************************************
BATGIRL #6
Written by Kelley Puckett and Scott Peterson; art and cover
by Damion Scott and Robert Campanella.
Batgirl gains an expanded capacity for speech, but what she
chooses to say with it may cost her...dearly. Meanwhile, Batman learns a truth
about Batgirl he cannot ignore, forcing him to take away something that's very
precious to the young heroine. (32 pages, $2.50)
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #133
Written by Archie Goodwin and James Robinson; art by
Marshall Rogers and Bob Wiacek; cover by Rogers and John Cebollero.
Family secrets rise to haunt the Dark Knight in Part 2 of
the 5-part "Siege." As Colonel Brass plans his mercenary convention,
Silver St. Cloud's inquiries into his true motives grow to the point where even
Batman cannot save her from the madman's plans. And what is the connection
between Brass and the Wayne Family legacy -- specifically, Bruce Wayne's
grandfather, prohibition-era King of the Bootleggers Jack Wayne? (32 pages,
$2.25)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #28
Written by Scott Peterson; art by Tim Levins and Terry
Beatty; cover by Rick Burchett and Beatty.
A popular musician is kidnapped by the Riddler, who proceeds
to leave baffling riddles for Batman, Robin and Nightwing. But the joke's on E.
Nigma when the musician begins leaving his own clues for our heroes in an
attempt to outwit the Riddler. Will the Riddler become aware of these
double-crosses and end the musician's career once and for all, or will the
Bat-family get hip and make all the right moves to save the chart-topper? (32
pages, $1.99).
BATMAN: OUTLAWS #1 
Written
by Doug Moench; art and cover by Paul Gulacy and Charles Yoakum.
A Federal task force declares war on Gotham City's costumed
vigilantes in a 3-issue miniseries that stars Batman, Robin, Nightwing,
Huntress, and even Catwoman. (48 pages, $4.95)
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #22
Written by John Ostrander; art and cover by Tom Mandrake.
The Dark Knight guest-stars in a standalone story of the
earliest days of the Manhunter from Mars' time on Earth. A man has died in
Gotham City. The police are sure it's a suicide. The sister of the victim
disagrees. The Martian Manhunter investigates the deadly trail and it leads
straight to billionaire Bruce Wayne and a furtive figure whispered about by the
criminal denizens of Gotham, a figure referred to as the Batman. (32 pages,
$2.50)
YOUNG JUSTICE #23
Written by Peter David; art by Todd Nauck and Lary Stucker;
cover by Todd Nauck and Terry Austin.
Part 1 of the 2-part "Australia Games" storyline.
The Young Justice gang goes down under to support Cissie -- the former
Arrowette -- as she and the U.S. archery team compete in the Australia Games.
But the games take an interesting turn as Monsieur Mallah and The Brain lead a
Zandian team of villains into competition. Plus, more of the Empress mystery
revealed. (32 pages, $2.50)
===========================================================
COMICS NEWS
***********
SCOTT BEATTY TALKS ROBIN YEAR ONE
-------------------------------------
Scott Beatty is teaming with Chuck Dixon to write a pair of
Robin stories, the Robin: Year One mini-series and Robin #87-90. The Comics
Continuum website ( ) recently caught up with Beatty for a short
question-and-answer session for his insight on the stories and the different
Robins.:
- The Continuum: How
did you become involved with the project?
-
Beatty: "Co-scripter Chuck Dixon and I are
friends...and we've collaborated in the past on a story or two...but I think I
can say that this has been the most satisfying project we've worked on so far.
Robin: Year One grew out of a long telephone conversation and a mutual desire
to take Dick Grayson back to the Batcave and see what it was like for a
13-year-old to ride shotgun with Batman."
-
- The Continuum: When will it be released?
-
Beatty: "Four issues, 48 pages each issue, beginning in
October. Javier Pulido is penciling, with inks by Robert Campanella. This year
marks the Boy Wonder's 60th anniversary, and we could think of no better way to
celebrate than to tell a story from Dick Grayson's freshmen year as Robin. The
only thing more satisfying than writing it has been seeing Javier's gorgeous
pencils arrive from Spain. The art is simply amazing."
- The Continuum:
Beyond its title, what can you say about the story?
- Beatty:
"Robin: Year One: picks up right where Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet
left off. Dick has graduated Batman's grueling training regimen and 'final
exam' to become Robin. He's meeting the Dark Knight's rogues gallery for the
first time and virtually oblivious to the fact that he's on a collision course
with Harvey Dent, perhaps the worst of the bunch. Everything Dick struggled to
achieve as Robin will be put to the test by Two-Face's 'Double Gallows,' a
death-trap mentioned briefly in The Prodigal storyline from a few years back.
And if that wasn't bad enough, waiting in the wings is a new villain who'll
have a lasting impact on both Nightwing and Batman continuity."
- The Continuum: What
do you like about this version of Robin?
- Beatty:
"What's not to like? Dick Grayson lived every comic book reader's fantasy:
He got to wear the domino mask and utility belt and help Batman, actually
saving his bacon on more than one occasion. If you had trouble imagining
yourself as the hero, it wasn't a huge leap in pretending that you were the
sidekick. And for my money, Dick Grayson's the most compelling character in
comics at any age."
- The Continuum:
What's it like working with Chuck?
- Beatty:
"There's an old DC Strange Sports Stories tale which featured a feverish
game of tennis played with a hand grenade. Collaborating with Chuck is a lot
like that. "We write each other into corners -- leaving the hero in a
cliffhanger moment with no help in sight -- and then we dare each other to find
a way out." "Right now, I'm re-teaming with Chuck Dixon on the
monthly Robin for a four-issue arc (#87-90) which introduces a new character
destined to upset the balance of power in the DCU...and immediately after that,
Chuck and I begin work on a DCU 5th Week epic slated for April 2001 that we're
pretty certain will jolt readers to attention. "We actually rattled ourselves
on this one."
========================================================
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
MOVIES ON TV
------------
Batman, the 1966 movie based on the Adam West television
series, will air on HBO on Thursday, July 6 at 2:30 p.m.
BATMAN BEYOND
---------------
The second season of the new futuristic look at the world of
the new Dark Knight is underway at 8.00 am (ET) Saturdays on the KidsWB!
7/1/00 (8:30 am) -- "Shriek"
From Brian Davis comes news that Batman Beyond is airing in
the UK on ITV every Sunday at 9.25am (starting January 2nd). In the UK the show
has been renamed 'Batman of the Future.' Brian has also noted that the UK
episodes have some definite edits when compared to the versions of the shows
shown in the US and Ireland.
In Canada Batman Beyond can be found on YTV airing at 2.30pm
Saturdays and Sundays.
In Belgium Batman Beyond shown on Sunday mornings on the
cable channel VT4
In Holland Batman Beyond is shown on RTL4 at 9.05am every
Sunday.
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
6/30/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Over the Edge"
7/3/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Robin's Reckoning-Part 1"
7/4/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Second Chance"
7/4/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Robin's Reckoning-Part 2"
7/5/00 (3:30 pm) -- "The Demon Within"
7/5/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Growing Pains"
7/6/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Old Wounds"
NOTE: Shows #1 - 85 are the classic "Batman: The
Animated Series" style. Shows #86 onwards are the "New Adventures"
style.
In Canada The New Batman Adventures can be found on YTV at
12 noon ( all time zones). For a weekly schedule check out http://www.ytv.com
The Irish TV station RTE2 broadcasts The New Batman
Adventures on Tuesdays around 5pm and on Fridays at 5.30pm
In Belgium The New Batman Adventures is shown on Saturday
mornings on the cable channel VT4
In Italy The New Batman Adventures are now on Canale 5 every
Saturday and Sunday at 11.00am
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
----------------------------
Batman is back on the Cartoon Network. Unannounced CN has
started running episodes of BTAS in order at weeknights at 6.00 pm ET and
Saturdays at 11.00am.
Batman the Animated Series is on Cartoon Network in
Australia from April 3rd at 7.00am and 5.00pm weekdays.
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.
In Italy the classic series can be found on daily on
"Canal Jimmy" (a satellite network dedicated to cult films &
television) at 10.15 A.M.
In Holland Adam West and crew can be found on RTL4 at 12.50
on Wednesday afternoons.
In Germany the show can be found on a local Berlin station
each Saturday of 8.00 - 8,25 o'clock. And Sundays from 7.30 - 7.55 o'clock
In the UK the classic show will be shown on Granada Plus at
8:30am every day from Monday 17th April, with double-bills on Saturdays at 6pm
from Saturday 22nd April.
======================================================================
TV NEWS
*******
BAT CREW ON CNN
------------------
Last weekend's convention in New York was featured on CNN's
ShowBiz Today on Monday, including interviews with Adam West (Batman), Yvonne
Craig (Batgirl) and Frank Gorshin (The Riddler).
=======================================================
MOVIE NEWS
***********
FRANK MILLER INVOLVED WITH NEXT BAT-FLICK ?
---------------------------------------------
A report on the Aint-It-Cool News website (http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com )
reports that there’s a distinct possibility that Frank Miller may be co-writing
the script for the next Bat-movie alongside rumored director Darren Aronofsky .
NO MORE “BATMAN 5” PLEASE
--------------------------
It appears that the folks at Warner Bros don’t want the next
Batman movie being referred to as “Batman 5” anymore. The next movie is being
seen as a kick-start to a new franchise not an addition to the existing one. It
also lends some credence that the next movie may be more of a Year One type
story.
===================================================================
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
ATLANTA GA – June 29th – July 2nd
------------------------------
This years DRAGON-CON (www.dragoncon.org ) takes
place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta. Guests include: SCOTT HAMPTON and
JULIUS SCHWARTZ.
SAN DIEGO CA – July 20-23
---------------------------
COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL (www.comic-con.org) will be
held in at the San Diego convention center between July 20th and 23.
BATMAN: DARK VICTORY creators JEPH LOEB and TIM SALE are among the
featured guests. Other Bat related guests registered include: DICK AYERS, JIM
BALENT, AL BIGLEY, DAN BRERETON, PAUL DINI, EVAN DORKIN, MARK EVANIER and MARK
WAID.
From DC Editorial MIKE CARLIN and BOB SCHRECK will also be in attendance.
Your humble GWN editor will also be stalking the halls of
the con.
SAN DIEGO CA – JULY 22
----------------------
This year’s San Diego WB STORE Event features MARK HAMMILL
who will be signing the new Joker Maquette and various Joker animation cels.
The event will take place at the Horton Plaza store between 6:00 and 8:00 pm.
====================================================================
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
GOTHAM GIRLS ONLINE ANIMATION ANNOUNCED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
In mid July Warner Bros. Online is launching a new web sitewww.gothamgirls.com that will feature
original animated shorts with Batgirl, Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn.
Each original cartoon will run approximately three minutes
in length, and will use Flash animation to show off the characters in
interactive stories. New episodes are scheduled to appear on a regular basis.
The first installment of Gotham Girls, "The
Vault," finds Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn on an antic-filled,
safe-cracking caper.
The Gotham Girls site will also include:
-
Spread the Word, a community area designed with Web cards,
e-mail-a-friend functionality, chat and message boards.
-
Gotham Girls Exposed gives a glimpse into the world of the
Gotham Girls, providing a detailed orientation of each girl's personality and
delves into why Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are just so very good at
being very bad and why Batgirl is determined to thwart their efforts.
-
Win Big -- Gotham Girl Art Contest asks users to submit
their artwork of a character they create and design (artists from Warner Bros.
Online and DC Comics will select the winner based on creative merit). The
winning entrant will have their character incorporated into a future Internet
Gotham Girls short.
-
Gotham Loot gives users downloadable images, audio files,
wallpaper and screen savers.
-
Harley's Funhouse Arcade houses interactive games featuring
all of the Gotham Girls.
CATCH UP ON THE GOTHAM GAZETTE FAN-FICS
---------------------------------------
Since the GOTHAM GAZETTE web-site went into hiatus I’ve had
several e-mails from GWN readers asking where they can find the excellent fanfic
stories we used to run. Well writer Lee Barnett now has them posted on his own
website at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/budgie
so click on by and check them out.
NEW BATMAN DISCUSSION LIST
----------------------------
BATSIGNAL a new Batman on-line discussion group has been launched at
http://www.eGroups.com/group/BatSignal
Or subscribe direct by sending an e-mail to BatSignal-subscribe@egroups.com
BATMAN RELATED E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS
---------------------------
Batman Animated Newsletter - Tim Leighton (juno@direct.ca)
Claw Marks: The Catwoman Fan Club Newsletter - Lynx Delirium
http://clawmarks.homepage.com/main.html
Batman UK - Monthly Newsletter – Brian Davis (www.batmanuk.freeserve.co.uk/batmanuk/)
Batman:
Defender Of Gotham weekly update – Dave Carroll (http://www.fandom.com/batman )
======================================================================
BATMAN FANZINES & FAN-CLUBS
*******************************
(Know of any Batman related Fan-clubs that aren't listed ?
Send me an e-mail at ajp@toad.net with details. When contacting any of these
clubs please mention GWN.)
KNIGHTHOOD OF THE BAT
----------------------
The Knighthood Of The Bat is an online ICQ based fan club
which, through the use of ICQ members can contact each other and share in their
common interest of Batman. Check it out
at the excellent Batman: Defender Of Gotham website at www.fandom.com/batman
BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS PRICE GUIDE
---------------------------------
Editor John Mack has announced that he has suspended
publication of the BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS GUIDE. .
GREEN HORNET & BATMAN FAN & COLLECTORS CLUB
--------------------------------------------
$10 a year for a bi-monthly newsletter. Contact J.
Washington III, 321 Gracie Road . Chesapeake VA 23325
HARLEY QUINN FAN CLUB
----------------------
Based in San Diego. For more info contact Mike at 4574
Mercurio St. San Diego CA 92130
UNOFFICIAL BATMAN ANIMATED FAN-CLUB
-------------------------------------
This club began in September and consists of a quarterly 30
page newsletter which is mailed out - 'a fan made magazine' with news, reviews,
guides, 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
(i.e. - you only pay for paper and printing costs) and it's made by fans for
fans. Based in the UK but USA and other members are always welcome. If you would
like more information on how to join please e-mail -
brian@batmanuk.freeserve.co.uk or for more info see website at
http://www.batmanuk.freeserve.co.uk/club/
======================================================================
HOW TO ORDER OUR OWN 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
======================================================================
Sources used in compiling GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS
- DC Comics On-Line
Newsletter (http://www.dccomics.com/newsletter.html )
- Comics Continuum (http://comicscontinuum.com/index.htm)
- Newsrama
(http://www.anotheruniverse.com/newsarama/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 and GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS are (c) and TM - Alan J. Porter (1994 - 2000)
"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 ajp@toad.net with the words
"unsubscribe GWN" in the subject line.