*************************************************************
*************************************************************
SPECIAL MID-WEEK
============================
As you may have noticed GWN wasn’t published last week as I
was in the middle of things at the San Diego Comic-Con. So instead here’s a
mid-week special edition bringing you all the news from Comic-Con
International.
Before we get to the news I’d like to take time to thank the
following Batman creators who took the time to chat with me during their busy
schedule: Jim Balent, Al Bigley,
Dan Brereton, Evan Dorkin, Wayne Faucher,
Mark Hammill, Jeph Loeb,
John Ostrander, James Pascoe, Gordon Purcell, Roger Robinson, Greg Rucka, Tim Sale and Mark Waid.
NEXT ISSUE
============
The next issue of GWN (#140) will be sent out on Friday 4th
August and contain some news about the future of the GOTHAM GAZETTE web-site.
As always, have a great week.
Alan J. Porter
Millersville
MD 21108
E-mail: ajp@toad.net
IN THIS ISSUE OF
=====================================
Comics Shipping This Week
Comics Shipping Next Week
Comics News From
TV Show Schedules
TV News
In The Stores
Meet The Bat-Team
On-Line Happenings
Fanzines & Fan-Clubs
======================================================
COMICS SHIPPING THIS WEEK (July 26th)
***************************************
BATMAN #581
Written by Larry Hama and Scott
McDaniel; art by McDaniel and Karl Story; cover by McDaniel.
Orca faces Batman in the watery depths in the conclusion of
a thrilling three-part story. The battle between Batman, and Orca explodes in
the shattering finale. Will Batman be able to save Camille Bayden-Smythe
from Orca? And how can he choose to side with the slumlord extraordinaire
against Orca's brand of vigilante justice? (32 pages, $2.25)
BATMAN: IT'S JOKER TIME #3
Written by Bob Hall; art and cover by Hall
Time is running out as Batman closes in on the location of
the Joker-run TV broadcast. Will the Dark Knight stop his nemesis from
committing wholesale slaughter on live television? (48 pages, $4.95)
BATMAN BEYOND #11
Written by Hilary J. Bader; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob
Leigh; cover by Ronnie DelCarmen.
Beauty becomes more than skin deep when Gotham's
teens start using nanotechnology to improve their bodies. Unfortunately, they
become enslaved to the technology's hive-mind intelligence. Can Batman defeat
the enemy without hurting the children of the city? (32 pages, $1.99)
CATWOMAN #84
Written by Bronwyn Carlton; art and cover by Staz Johnson and Wayne Faucher.
Catwoman teams
up (sort of) with that mistress of madness, Harley Quinn. Are they after
Batman? Nah. Trying to liberate the Joker? Nope. This time, Gordon's the
target, and there's no turning back. This issue marks the end of Catwoman as you know her as the story heads off in a
direction no one's expecting. And nothing in Catty's
life will ever be the same. (32 pages, $2.25)
JLA #45
Written by Mark Waid; art and
cover by Howard Porter and Drew Geraci.
The truth behind Ra's Al Ghul's
master plan surprises the World's Greatest Super-Heroes in Part 3 of the 4-part
"Tower of Babel!" In a hidden Antarctic base, the JLA finally
confronts its greatest enemy -- and it's not Ra's Al Ghul
-- and is forced to face a horrible secret kept by one of the League's own
members. (32 pages, $2.25).
ROBIN 80-PAGE GIANT #1
Written by Chuck Dixon; art by Diego Barretto;
cover by Pete Woods and Jesse Delperdang.
Wedding bells are in the air, and they're not for Robin and
Spoiler. That's right, Jack Drake is getting hitched again, and now he'll be
mellow, kindly, and nice to be around -- not! As if spending his vacation with
dad weren't enough, Tim's going to find himself face to face with the answer to
this question: what happens when you mix your wedding plans with a love of
archeology, unearthing something very dangerous in the process? (80 pages,
$5.95)
SUPERMAN & BUGS BUNNY #3
Written by Mark Evanier; art and
cover by Joe Staton, Tom Palmer and Mike DeCarlo.
The DC Universe/WB looniverse
collision continues. If Elmer Fudd can gain the
powers of Superman (like he did last issue), then Daffy Duck can certainly
become...the Duck Knight Detective. Who let him in the Batcave?
Plus, it's the first meeting of the JLA and the Looney Tunes. (32 pages, $2.50)
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT
WEEK (August 2nd)
***************************************
BATGIRL #7
Written by Kelley Puckett, art and cover by Damion Scott and Robert Campanella.
In the aftermath of issue #6, Batgirl is forced to
reevaluate her new career as her relationship with Batman reaches a dramatic
turning point. (32 pages, $2.50)
BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #134
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 3 of
the 5-part "Siege." The mercenary named Brass puts his plan to
ransack Gotham into action -- and reveals a deeper,
darker true motive for the attack: the pillaging and destruction of Wayne
Manor. It's all a part of Brass' ultimate plan for revenge against the memory
of Jack Wayne, grandfather of Bruce and the man behind the Wayne family
fortune. (32 pages, $2.25)
BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #29
Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Joe Staton
and Terry Beatty, cover by Craig Rousseau and Beatty.
Batman has been poisoned mysteriously and has only six hours
to live, and it's up to Robin to figure out exactly how and why this has happened.
The search for an antidote leads the Boy Wonder to Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn,
but will these baddest of bad girls come to his aid?
(32 pages, $1.99)
BATMAN: OUTLAWS #2
Written by Doug Moench, art and
cover by Paul Gulacy and Charles Yoakum.
The government crackdown on Gotham
City's costumed vigilantes heats up as Colonel Redmun
and Gotham's new vigilantes, the Bloodhawks,
tighten their stranglehold on Gotham, and render the
GCPD virtually powerless. However, an unexpected ally may hold the key to
putting Batman on equal footing with the Bloodhawks.
(48 pages, $4.95)
LATE SHIPPING
--------------
DC has announced the following changes to shipping dates:
-
DC TWO THOUSAND #2 will be in stores on
8/16/00 instead of 8/2/00
-
JLA 80-PAGE GIANT #3 will ship 8/16/00
instead of 8/9/00
===========================================================
COMICS NEWS FROM SAN DIEGO
**************************
EISNER AWARD WINNERS
-----------------------
Congratulations to the following Batman connected Eisner
Award winners:
Hall Of fame Inductee – Carmine Infantino
Best Painter (Interior art) – Alex Ross for “Batman: War On
Crime”
Best Cover Artist – Alex Ross for “Batman: War On Crime”,
“Batman: No Man’s Land” and “Batman: Harley Quinn”
Congratulations to Detective Comics writer Greg Rucka for winning the Eisner for best limited series with “Whiteoout: Melt.”
BATMAN COMICS NEWS
******************
There’s a lot of stuff to report on here so I’ve arranged
the news by title:
BATMAN
-------
Ed Brubaker has been confirmed as the new writer on BATMAN.
His first ongoing story arc will feature The Penguin.
BATMAN FAMILY TITLES
---------------------
All though not connected in a single story, each of the
December Batman family of titles will be linked thematically. The basic premise
will have various well known villains fantasizing over the imagined death of
Batman.
Detective Comics will be staying with it’s “limited color
palette” look for the foreseeable future.
Greg Rucka and Rich Burchett have
pitched an idea for another mini-series that would pick up on the relationship
between The Huntress and The Question established in the current series.
Gordon Purcell has a Spoiler story in the upcoming Batman
Chronicles that tells of Stephanie Brown’s first outing in the Spoiler costume.
BATMAN: TURNING POINTS
----------------------
One of DC’s “fifth week” events for the upcoming year will
focus on the relationship over the years between Batman and Jim Gordon from
Gordon’s point-of-view. The five issue series breaks down as follows:
#1 - Deals with Batman and Captain James Gordon just after
the events in "Batman: Year One." Gordon's first wife, Barbara, will
have just left him, taking their son, and characters seen in Year One will
appear. Written by Greg Rucka.
#2 – Explores Gordon’s reactions to the sudden appearance of
Robin. Written by Ed Brubaker.
#3 – Takes place shortly after the twin tragedies of The
Killing Joke and Death In The Family and examines how the two men cope with
their grief. It will be written by Ed Brubaker and feature a Joe Kubert cover.
#4 – Deals with Gordons’ reactions
to Az-Bats during the events of Knightfall.
Written by Chuck Dixon.
#5 – Brings the story up to date with a contemporary tale
written by Greg Rucka.
The “5th week” will lead in to events in the main
Batman books next year.
DARK KNIGHT STRIKES BACK
------------------------
According to Batman editor Bob Schreck,
Frank Miller is hard at work on the much awaited sequel and has completed
around 40 character designs (3 of which were on display at the DC Booth) and
the first 16 pages of story. No shipping date will be scheduled until more work
is completed.
CATWOMAN
-----------
As well as his Batman scripts, it was announced that Ed
Brubaker will be taking over writing Catwoman in the
near future. His intention is to move it towards a more crime-noir based feel
and examine what has been driving Selina Kyle since
her Year One days. At the Batman panel presentation he said that he wanted to
make Selina a more “sympathetic character” than she
had been recently.
JLA
----
It was announced at the San Diego JLA panel that John
Ostrander will be creating a 8-issue mini-series that will examine all the
various incarnations of the JLA over the years.
The series will be called "JLA: Incarnations.", Art
will be by Val Semeiks and Prentis
Rollins,. The planned line up is to cover the original team in the first three
issues, then what John termed the "Detroit" JLA followed by the JLI
incarnation before leading into the current version of the team.
ELSEWORLDS etc.
----------------
-
The “Just Imagine Stan Lee” Batman book will be pencilled by
Joe Kubert.
-
A follow up to the JSA: Liberty Files which featured a World
War 2 version of Batman is in the works.
=======================================================
TV SHOW SCHEDULES
********************
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! With reruns weekdays at 4:30pm
7/28/00 (4:30 pm) - "The Last Resort"
7/29/00 (8:30 am) - "Meltdown"
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
7/25/00 (3:30 pm) - "Beware the Grey Ghost"
7/25/00 (4:30 pm) - "Read My Lips"
7/27/00 (4:30 pm) - "Animal Act"
7/29/00 (8:00 am) - "Make 'Em Laugh"
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 6.30 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
********
BATMAN BEYOND / ZETA PROJECT
-----------------------------
During the WB Animation panel in San Diego a preview of the
Batman Beyond “spin-off” series The Zeta Project was shown. The robot design
has been changed slightly from that seen in the BB episode where the character
first appeared. The creative team confirmed that the series is set in the “same
world” as BB but will be more of a road trip type story allowing us to see more
of the futuristic environment outside of Gotham.
It was also revealed that the plans are for Batman Beyond
and The Zeta project to cross-over, with Terry McGinnis appearing in a Zeta
episode and Zeta appearing in a BB episode.
================================================
IN THE STORES
**************
NEW BATMAN BEYOND FIGURE LINE
--------------------
The Warner Bros Gallery booth at the San Diego con included
a few sneak previews of the upcoming action figure for the BATMAN BEYOND:
RETURN OF THE JOKER movie tie-in. Unfortunately all the examples on show were
repaints of existing figures from various versions of the animated line.
NEW DC DIRECT ITEMS
------------------
On display at the DC Direct booth were:
Photos of the upcoming BATSIGNAL PROP. This mini-searchlight
features, the label: "Property of the Gotham
City Police Department: For Emergency Use Only"; and "To be activated
by order of Commissioner James W. Gordon" on its base. It will stand about
9 inches high and projects a bat-signal beam when activated. Cost will be
around the $150 mark and it will be solicited towards the end of this year and
is scheduled to ship in April 2001.
NIGHTWING MINI-STATUE
Sculpted by William Paquet, based
on designs by Scott McDaniel.
The sold-out medium-size version of the Nightwing
statue sculpted by William Paquet from designs by
Scott McDaniel is now recaptured as a mini, measuring 4.25" high x
4.25" deep x 3" wide. This cold-cast porcelain statue captures Dick
Grayson in action on a rooftop. $39.95, ships on Jan. 31.
BATARANG MINI-PROP
Presenting DC Direct's first in a
new line of miniature props. The Dark Knight's signature weapon is handsomly recreated in pewter attached to a bat-shaped base
mounted on a wood platform. Measuring at 5" wide including base, this prop
is meant for display purposes only, and fits beautifully on most shelf spaces.
$79.95, ships on Feb. 7.
DC Direct have also announced that the much delayed TWO-FACE COIN will now ship on August 2nd
WB STORE NEWS
-------------------
The Warner Bros. Studio Store now has a new 19" plush
Batman for $16.00, they are also marking down a lot of things to make room for
the new summer products. If you have a
WB store near you stop in and see all of the new stuff! ( Thanks to the JokerInc
Newsletter http://www.egroups.com/list/jokerinc)
BATMAN MARKDOWNS!
---------------------------------------
Target stores have marked down all of the Batman Beyond
figures (BatLink figures are still full price) to
$4.10 and $6.10 for the Deluxe figures. The Street-To-Sky Batmobile
for $17.90. These prices might even be lower by now! (JokerInc
Newsletter http://www.egroups.com/list/jokerinc)
================================
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
CHICAGO – August 4-6
---------------------
WIZARD WORLD 2000 (http://www.wizardworld.com )is
scheduled for the wwekend of August 4th
thru 6th at the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago. Guests
include: JEPH LOEB, TIM SALE and MARK WAID.
====================================================================
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
GOTHAM GIRLS UP AND RUNNING
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first “webisode” of GOTHAM
GIRLS is up and running at http://www.gothamgirls.com .
It features Harley and Ivy in a daring safe robbery skit.
The second episode was previewed at San Diego and will
feature Batgirl and Catwoman.
BATMAN COMIC BOOK APPEARENCES
-------------------------------
The listing of all Batman Comic Book Appearances from 1939
to present is now available at http://www.magpage.com/~demes/batapps.htm.
Any corrections / aditions can be sent to Jim Demes
at demes@magpage.com
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 morre 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.