*************************************************************
*************************************************************
A NOTE OF THANKS
------------------
First off – a personal note of thanks to all the GWN readers
who sent me notes over the last week wishing me the best with my knee injury. –
You are a great bunch of people – Thanks.
BATMAN 5 NEWS
-----------
The Batman 5 rumor mill has been in full swing over the last
few weeks with a new high profile name linked to the role of the Caped
Crusader. But is a threatened
SET THE VCRs
-------------
The classic 1960’s BATMAN TV show will be back on US TV
screens in October – check the TV News below for more information.
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
TV Show Schedules – New BB episodes
TV News – Batman’s back on Sci-Fi
Movie News – Pitt ?
Meet The Bat-Team –Batmobile on
tour.
On-Line Happenings – WB auction on eBay
Fanzines & Fan-Clubs
======================================================
THIS WEEK IN BAT HISTORY
***********************
OK I missed these last week:
-
-
-
-
9th September is the birthday of screen Batman,
Michael Keaton.
And this week
-
Tommy Lee Jones who played Two-Face in Batman Forever
celebrates his birthday on September 15th.
=================================================
COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (September 13th)
***************************************
AZRAEL: AGENT OF THE BAT #70
Written by Dennis O'Neil; art by Sergio Cariello
and James Pascoe; cover by Tony Harris and Ray Snyder.
Part 1 of the 3-part "Prophet." Azrael is sent back into the desert on a personal mission
for Dr. Thompkins: find her brother and bring him
back from the mysterious cult he may have joined! But is Leslie's brother the
renegade cult's leader, Jeremiah? Plus, Lilhy's new Azrael returns. (32 pages, $2.50)
BATMAN: DARK KNIGHT DYNASTY SC
Written by Mike W. Barr; art by Scott Hampton, Gary Frank,
Scott McDaniel, Cam Smith and Bill Sienkiewicz;
painted cover by Brom from a sketch by McDaniel.
Three heroes who bear the mantle of the bat face the
immortal Vandal Savage the softcover edition of the
centuries-spanning Elseworlds hardcover. A startling
three-chapter tale that begins in the time of the Crusades and concludes in the
distant future, as 14th-century soldier Joshua of Wainwright and his
descendants battle the villainous immortal Vandal Savage. The first chapter
(painted by Scott Hampton) begins in the 14th century as Joshua of Wainwright,
a soldier in the Crusades, interrupts the villainous Vandal Savage in the
middle of an attempt to bring a strange meteor crashing to Earth. Joshua
dedicates his life to thwarting Savage's plans, an oath that commits his
descendants to the task as well, as modern-day Bruce Wayne dons the cowl of
Batman to face a reborn Savage (in a chapter illustrated by Gary Frank and Cam
Smith) and siblings Brenna and James Wayne face
Savage in a final battle in the distant future (in a chapter with layouts by
Scott McDaniel and finishes by Bill Sienkiewicz).
(128 pages, $14.95)
BATMAN: THE DOOM THAT CAME TO GOTHAM #1
Written by Mike Mignola and
Richard Pace; art by Troy Nixey and Dennis Janke; cover by Mignola.
In a Victorian Gotham City very
different from any we've seen before, a ship -- captained by Bruce Wayne --
returns from the Arctic Circle with the remains of a lost scientific
expedition. What unspeakable horror could have driven men of reason so mad as
to imagine themselves penguins? What demonic force could cause a man to grow
mad with a cold generated from within? And what horror has returned with Bruce
Wayne and his crew from the tattered dregs they went to recover? The unholy
answers are made clear in this three-part Elseworlds
miniseries in the Prestige Format. It's a Lovecraftian
tale that puts some novel twists on very familiar characters from the legends
of the Dark Knight. The Gotham in this miniseries is
rife with strange events -- such as the coexistence of all three Robins at one
time, and malevolent misfit creatures -- twisted versions of Man-Bat, Killer
Croc, the Demon, and more. As Wayne returns for the first time in years to the
horrifying place that was once his home, none of the familiar faces he finds --
from wealthy Oliver Queen to mayoral candidate Harvey Dent -- can bring him
comfort. And none know the truth behind the horrible secret of the Batman. (48
pages, $4.95, ships on Sept. 13. )
BATMAN/HUNTRESS: CRY FOR BLOOD #6
Written by Greg Rucka; art by Rick
Burchett and Terry Beatty; cover by Burchett.
The mini-series concludes as the Huntress finally learns the
identity of Claudio's killer and the truth behind her parents' murder as she
confronts her greatest enemy. The ending will surprise readers, as Helena Bertinelli must face her greatest challenge...alone. (32
pages, $2.50)
DETECTIVE COMICS #750
Written by Greg Rucka and Jordan
B. Gorfinkel; art by Shawn Martinbrough,
Jeff Johnson, Steve Mitchell and Dan Panosian; cover
by Dave Johnson.
For almost a year, Ra's al Ghul
has been reinsinuating himself into the life of the
Dark Knight, both in the pages of Detective Comics and, most recently, JLA. Now
the battle between these bitter, brilliant foes goes critical in a double-sized
issue. Ra's sends Whisper and Abbot to find his daughter, Talia,
unaware that Batman himself is searching desperately for Ra's. But when Batman
and Talia finally face each other, Batman is
persuaded to make an unexpected change in plans, battling to save Whisper's
very soul. Plus, an extra-length fifth installment of "The Jacobian." (64 pages, $4.95, ships on Sept. 13. )
JLA: HEAVEN'S LADDER
Written by Mark Waid; art and
cover by Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary.
The entire planet Earth is stolen by a race of aliens who
make a habit of collecting entire inhabited worlds from throughout the
universe. To free the Earth from the aliens' clutches, the Leaguers first must
learn why a super-intelligent race would commit such heinous crimes. What the
heroes discover embroils them in a mission to answer the profound mysteries
that elude even the most super-advanced lifeforms in
the universe! Should they fail, Earth and the other stolen worlds will perish.
Luckily, doing the impossible is the JLA's specialty.
(72 pages, oversized format, $9.95)
NIGHTWING #49
Written by Chuck Dixon; art by Greg Land and José Marzan, Jr; cover by Land and
Karl Story.
The twisted assassin known as Torque continues his covert
war to take control of the 'Haven while Nightwing has
his second battle with the Sylph. Will either combatant walk away unscathed?
(32 pages, $2.25)
===========================================================
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
9/08/00 (7:30 am) -- "Revenant"
9/12/00 (4:30 pm) -- "The Last Resort"
9/13/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Armory"
9/14/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Final Cut"
9/15/00 (7:30 am) -- "Earth Mover"
9/16/00 (11:00 am) -- "King's Ransom" NEW EPISODE
9/19/00 (4:30 pm) -- "April Moon"
9/20/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Hooked Up"
9/21/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Babel"
9/23/00 (11:00 am) -- "Untouchable" NEW EPISODE
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.
In Germany Batman Beyond can be found on the channel Pro Sieben at 10.15 am
and like the UK it is known as “Batman Of The Future.”
It also appears the show runs under that title in Panama as
well.
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.
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’S BACK ON TV
--------------------
The classic BATMAN TV show is coming to the Sci-Fi cable
channel in October.
The shows will be run in three hour blocks between 8:00 and
11:00pm on October 3rd, 10th and 17th.
As yet the Sci-Fi channel web site doesn’t give any episode
details
(Thanks to “Quatermass” for the
tip)
BAT-WEEK ON BOIGRAPHY
--------------------
Over the past week the A&E channel has devoted its
Biography series to the cast of the classic BATMAN TV show. Here is the full
run down of the shows featured under the “Holy Bat-Week” series:
-
9/4: Adam West: Behind the Cowl. .
-
9/5: Cesar Romero. –
The Joker
-
9/6: Julie Newmar. - Catwoman
-
9/7: Vincent Price:.
- Egghead
-
9/8: Roddy McDowall:
The Bookworm in the '60's series. And the voice of Dr. Jervis Tetch aka The Mad Hatter in
several episodes of the animated Batman
series
=============================
MOVIE NEWS
***********
BATMAN 5 CASTING IS THE PITTS ?
-------------------------
Entertainment Weekly reported that Director Darren Aronofsky was recently met with Brad Pitt in Los Angeles.
This has led to speculation that the actor may be a candidate to don cape and
cowl for the next Batman feature film
“I'd want to bring an independent guerrilla flavor to Batman,” told EW.
Britain's Sun
newspaper then reported last Thursday that Brad Pitt “has been approached to
play the Caped Crusader in a new BATMAN motion picture. No details were given,
but the paper claims that Pitt has held "talks with Hollywood chiefs about
the role." ” But given The Sun’s
track record this can hardly be taken as confirmation.
BUT THEN AGAIN
---------------
The following was posted on the BatSignal
(http://www.eGroups.com/group/BatSignal)discussion
group this week:
“The rumors of Brad Pitt as Batman are spinning out of
control. "...he is in fact
interested in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind which Aranofski
wanted to do, but is now attached to the Bat franchise. Bryan Singer will
probably helm Confessions which (Leonardo) Di Caprio expressed interest in earlier in the year."
In addition to the recent commotion our scooper also fills
us in on more Bat related news. Rumors floating around the movie-world also
have Norman Reedus taking on the caped crusader role
if the project turns out to be Batman: Year One.
This is just speculation at this point but other stars rumored
to be in the mix are Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell, Robert De Niro,
Micael Keaton (again),
Michael Douglas, and Tom Cruise has been mention as well. All of this seems
interesting rumor and is doubtful any of it is based in fact.”
MORRISON TALKED BATMAN SCRIPT
-------------------------------
Comic book writer Grant Morrison recently confirmed the runors that he had gone on from this years San Diego con to
LA where he meet with WB studios execs and pitched a proposal for a Batman 5
script.
Fandom.com’s Newsrama (www.fandom.com/comics) reported Morrison as
saying “"I wrote up a great pitch which got Batman out of Gay Gotham for a while and brought in some brilliant villains
nobody's used yet," Morrison told CN, " but as far as I know Darren Aronofsky, the director of Pi (the sign rather than the
word) is thinking about Batman. There are rumors that it might be partly
inspired by stuff from Arkham Asylum, so I may or may
not have further involvement."
GEORGE PITCHS HIS OWN BATMAN PLOT
-----------------------------------
According to Movieline, George
Clooney has come up with his own idea about what the next Batman movie should
be about. Taking place after Alfred's funeral and the death of Robin, Clooney’s
idea sees the whole Batman story as a figment of Bruce Wayne’s imagination,
created to help him deal with the tragic murders of his parents.
“You do the movie cheap, in film noir style,” Clooney said.
“Make Batman the dark knight, something Tim Burton didn't even do… Do it for
$30 million. You reinvent the franchise.”
Clooney added: “What they want to do instead is this Batman
Beyond, and just like with Anthony Hopkins in Mask of Zorro, you have this guy
create the whole thing all over again with someone new. I think they are going
to do Batman Beyond but they should use my ending to start the movie” – Thanks
to JokerInc
BATMAN 5 DELAYED
---------------
According to this week’s Entertainment Weekly BATMAN 5 has
been removed from WB production schedule under fears that an much anticipated
Actors and Writers strike in early 2001 will hit production. Several studios
have placed large productions on hold until the labor dispute is settled.
================================
MEET THE BAT-TEAM
********************
BATMOBILE ON TOUR
-------------------
Check out the Batmobile as
featured in the On*Star TV commercials at the following events:
- Sept. 29 - State Fair of Texas - (First Auto
Show) - Dallas, TX
NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA – October 7-8
----------------------------------
The HOLLYWOOD COLECTORS & CELEBRITIES SHOW (http://hollywoodcollectorshow.com/garlan.htm) will be held at the Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn on 4222 Vineland Avenue on October 7th and 8th. The show will include appearances from: ADAM WEST, FRANK GORSHIN, YVONNE CRAIG, JULIE NEWMAR, LEE MERIWETHER and GEORGE BARRIS builder of the TV Batmobile’
====================================================================
ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
*******************
BATMAB BEYOND WEB-SITE LINKS TO MOVIE
---------------------------------------
In anticipation of the upcoming BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE
JOKER movie, the Batman Beyond website (www.batmanbeyond.com)
has added interactive features that include a 10-minute "Return of the
Joker" preview Webcast, a soundtrack sampler, a
clip from the music video, interactive arcade games, character biographies,
weekly contests and sweepstakes for chances to win great prizes, questions for
the creators, chat events and much more.
WB AUCTIONS MOVIE ITEMS ON-LINE
-------------------------------
Beginning September 13th on www.ebay.com,
Warner Bros. invites you to bid on props and wardrobe from the blockbuster
Batman movie franchise. Items include Batman's cowl from Batman Forever, Catwoman's costume from Batman Returns, Poison Ivy's chair
and Batgirl's mask from Batman & Robin, The Riddler's
and Two-Face's costumes from Batman Forever, as well as props and collectibles
straight from the Warner Bros. vaults. All items in the Warner Bros. Auction
come with a certificate of authenticity.
GOTHAM GIRLS UP AND RUNNING
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The third “webisode” of GOTHAM
GIRLS is up and running at http://www.gothamgirls.com .
It features Harley on a desperate bid to buy a Halloween present for Ivy..
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.fandom.com/comics
)
- 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.