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         GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS #143

         Friday 25th August 2000

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BATMAN BEYOND GOES LIVE

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The big news of the week has been the confirmation of Warner Bros plans to produce a live action BATMAN BEYOND movie.

 

For more on this see the “Movie news” section below.

 

PRESIDENT BARBARA GORDON

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The on-line poll to find a “comic book” US president (And some could ague that that’s not a new thing.) concluded recently at the Tony Isabella’s On-Line Tips site (http://www.wfcomics.com/tony/). And the winner was our own Oracle – Barbara Gordon with 49% of the vote.

 

As always, have a great week.

 

Alan J. Porter

PO Box 527

Millersville

MD 21108

USA

 

E-mail: ajp@toad.net

 

IN THIS ISSUE OF GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS:

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This Week In Bat History

Comics Shipping Next Week

TV Show Schedules – Thru’ Sept 2nd

Movie News – Batman Beyond live

In The Stores – BB:TOJ campaign rolls out

Meet The Bat-Team –Batmobile on tour.

On-Line Happenings – WB auction on eBay

Fanzines & Fan-Clubs

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THIS WEEK IN BAT HISTORY

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August 25th 1960 saw Justice League Of America #1 hit the spinner-racks in your local drugstore and newsstand.

 

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COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (August 30th)

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BATMAN #582

Written by Ed Brubaker, art by Scott McDaniel and Karl Story, cover by McDaniel.

Part 1 of the 2-part "Fearless." Sam Jeremy lost his entire world in a freak accident that took his wife and child. With nothing left to lose, he turns his attentions to becoming a career criminal, ruining the lives of everyone in his wake. Now Batman -- in both identities -- must attempt to save an old friend from a collision course with a life of crime. (32 pages, $2.25)

 

THE BATMAN CHRONICLES #22

Written by Christopher Golden, Tom Sniegoski, Darren Vincenzo, and Chuck Dixon, art by Jordan Raskin, Rodolfo Dimaggio, Gordon Purcell, and Danny Miki, cover by Raskin.

The deadly Lady Shiva takes center stage in a story (written by Christopher Golden and Tom Sniegoski with art by Jordan Raskin) that finds the assassin in Paris, attempting to settle the score with a hired killer who crossed her path years before. Plus, a mission for Ra's Al Ghul goes dangerously wrong for his daughter, Talia (written by Darren Vincenzo with art by Rodolfo Dimaggio), and the Spoiler must face a bad seed in her family. (48 pages, $2.95 )

 

BATMAN: THE CHALICE SOFTCOVER

Written by Chuck Dixon, painted art and cover by John Van Fleet.

A softcover edition of the popular hardcover that finds the Dark Knight fighting to keep possession of an artifact that may be the fabled Holy Grail. (96 pages, $14.95 )

 

BATMAN: EGO

Written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke, cover by Cooke.

When a petty theft caused the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne, the scars on the lone witness -- young Bruce Wayne -- went deeper than any physical wound ever could. Haunted by the moment when he watched, powerless, as those he loved most met their deaths, young Bruce would be changed forever as he grew to adulthood and became the Dark Knight known as the Batman. In August, a bold and stylish Prestige Format one-shot -- Batman: Ego -- offers a glimpse of the psychological coonflicts that drove Batman early in his career. Written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke, who has spent years working with Bruce Timm on storyboards for the Batman animated series, Batman: Ego finds Bruce Wayne tortured by the idea that he's slowly growing numb to the violence that plagues Gotham City. Feeling the weight of his commitment to his city, the Dark Knight fears that he's reached the end of his rope. Bruce Wayne discovers the greatest battles take place within. (64 pages, $6.95)

 

CATWOMAN #85

Written by Bronwyn Carlton, art and cover by Staz Johnson and Wayne Faucher.

Free from prison and on her own at last, Catwoman begins her life of crime anew. But gone are the days of stealing jewelry and causing mischief. Selina's got a lifetime of anger and revenge to dish out and a city to bring down, while Gordon and the GCPD's newest cop begin unravelling the secrets of Selina's past, as things lead towards a disturbing conclusion. (32 pages, $2.25 )

 

GHOST - BATGIRL #1

By: Mike Kennedy and Ryan Benjamin, cover by Benjamin.

When innocent people killed by Two-Face in Gotham City begin turning up as zombies in Arcadia, the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon (now the computer wizard known as Oracle) and the new Batgirl, Cassandra Cain, take a road trip to Arcardia to find out what's really going on. But Ghost, the self-proclaimed Sentinel of Arcadia, is less than thrilled to have a new caped crime-fighter in town -- especially since Ghost has her own reasons for wanting to discover the source of the recently resurrected. Co-published with Dark Horse Comics. (32 pages, $2.95 )

 

JLA #46

Written by Mark Waid, art by Howard Porter and Drew Geraci, cover by Howard Porter and Drew Geraci.

The utterly unexpected conclusion to "Tower of Babel," the JLA's battle with the insidious Ra's al Ghul. After saving the planet from the deadliest cosmic threats imaginable, the League has suffered its worst defeat at the hands of Batman's most resourceful enemy. Now the JLA must heal from a kind of damage that may spell the end of the World's Greatest Super-Heroes, beginning with a startling change to the JLA roster. (32 pages, $2.25)

 

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TV SHOW SCHEDULES

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BATMAN BEYOND

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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

 

8/25/00 (4:30pm) #22 “Rats”

8/26/00 (8:30am) #36 “Payback”

8/26/00 (11:00am) #26 “Terry's Friend Dates a Robot”

9/02/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Armory"

9/02/00 (11:00 am) -- "Mind Games"

 

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 - 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.”

 

NEW BATMAN / SUPERMAN ADVENTURES

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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

 

8/28/00 (3:30 pm) -- "The Ultimate Thrill" (Batman)

8/28/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Old Wounds" (Batman)

8/29/00 (3:30 pm) -- "Mean Seasons" (Batman)

8/30/00 (4:30 pm) -- "Legends of the Dark Knight" (Batman)

 

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

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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

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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

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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.

 

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MOVIE NEWS

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BATMAN BEYOND GOES LIVE ACTION

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The story first broke this week at the Aint-It-Cool News website (http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/)  and was quickly followed up by The Comics Continuum (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/) and reported in Variety (http://www.variety.com/). It looks like the next Batman movie will be a BATMAN BEYOND live action outing.

 

Perhaps the best news for Batfans is that BB creators Paul Dini and Alan Burnett are attached to the project. Depending on which report you read they are either “in negotiations” or “signed on” as co-writers of the project with director Boaz Yakin.

 

A search on the Internet Movie database (http://www.imdb.com/) shows Yakin’s previous movies include this year’s “Remember The Titans” and last year’s “A Price Above Rubies.” Unfortunately his resume also includes being sole credited writer for the terrible 1989 “Punisher” movie based on the Marvel Comics character.

 

In an interview for the Popculprit website Boaz Yakin revealed he has some has some definite plans for thefranchise. "It's a great opportunity and I love the [animated] series. It's the time of superhero aesthetic I groove to, really dark in tones but just hopeful and youthful.  Just because the characters are familiar and mainstream doesn't mean we need to follow a traditional, generic arc with them. Everything I do I hope is really sophisticated, so this will not stop here."

 

Variety also reported that cyberpunk sci-fi novelist Neal Stephenson (writer of Cryptonomicon) is in negotiations to sign on as a story consultant.

 

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IN THE STORES

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BATMAN BEYOND PROMTIONS ROLL OUT

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Warner Bros are planning a major promotional campaign based around the upcoming BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER video movie.

 

Examples include:

-        Orange Julius of America, Dairy Queen Treat Centers and The Coca-Cola Co. scratch-and-win game. Parents and kids will have the chance to win a dream vacation for a family of four to Warner Bros. Studios, Coca-Cola products and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker videos.

-        Two-dollar coupons toward the purchase of the video will be distributed at all Dairy Queen Treat Center and Orange Julius locations. From Oct. 9 through Nov. 6,

-        The Kids WB! will air a National Watch and Win! promotion with prizes including VCRs, videos, DVDs, CDs, video games, WB Studio Store gift certificates, Batman books from DC Comics Publishing, "Batman Beyond" bedroom makeovers and a grand-prize trip for four to New York City.

-        A Batman Beyond radio promotion will offer consumers the chance to win videos, CDs and backpacks full of great Batman consumer products.

-        An AOL promotion will offer fans the opportunity to preview the "Crash" music video by Mephisto Odyssey featuring Static X, the chance to participate in a live chat with Mephisto Odyssey and Static X, a live feed of a Mephisto Odyssey performance, view behind-the-scenes footage, a live chat with the creators of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and the chance to win great prizes including Hasbro toys and a Batman Beyond video library.

-        Starting in September, fans can look forward to finding decoder game pieces in specially marked Batman merchandise. One of more than 125,000 prizes can be won, including the Batman Beyond action figures from Hasbro, Batman Beyond: The Movie video, Batman Beyond soundtrack from Rhino and Warner Records, Batman Beyond comic books from DC Comics, DVD players from Zenith, and handheld video-game players and Batman Beyond video games from Kemco.

-        Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker will be featured exclusively on more than 6 million hang tags and on-pack stickers; parents will enjoy the $3 mail-in rebate with the purchase of $5 worth of specially marked Batman merchandise and the Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker video or DVD. An insert booklet with great discounts on Batman merchandise will also be in every Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker video and DVD.

-        Available day and date with the video will be the official Batman Beyond: Return the Joker script book, a junior novel based on the movie will be released in mid-October, action figures inspired by the movie will hit store shelves in September, and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Playstation, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color games based on the movie will blast off

 

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MEET THE BAT-TEAM

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BATMOBILE ON TOUR

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Check out the Batmobile as featured in the On*Star TV commercials at the following events:

-        August 19 - Woodward Dream Cruise - Woodward Avenue - Birmingham, MI

-        Sept. 29 - State Fair of Texas - (First Auto Show) - Dallas, TX

 

NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA – October 7-8

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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’

 

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ON-LINE HAPPENINGS

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BATMAB BEYOND WEB-SITE LINKS TO MOVIE

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 )

 

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BATMAN FANZINES & FAN-CLUBS

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(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

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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

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Editor John Mack has announced that he has suspended publication of the BATMAN TOY & COLLECTORS GUIDE. .

 

GREEN HORNET & BATMAN FAN & COLLECTORS CLUB

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$10 a year for a bi-monthly newsletter. Contact J. Washington III, 321 Gracie Road . Chesapeake VA 23325

 

HARLEY QUINN FAN CLUB

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Based in San Diego. For more info contact Mike at 4574 Mercurio St. San Diego CA 92130

 

UNOFFICIAL BATMAN ANIMATED FAN-CLUB

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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 costss) 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/

 

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HOW TO ORDER OUR OWN BATMAN BOOK

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"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 

 

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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.