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         GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS #146

         Friday 29th September 2000

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After all the movie announcements recently – this has been a relatively quiet week in Gotham. But there’s still a lot of news to catch up on – so I’ll leave you to it.

 

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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Comics Shipping Next Week

Comics News – Worlds Funnest line up

TV Show Schedules – New BB episodes

TV News – Beyond dominates time-slot.

Movie News – More ROTJ news

In The Stores – BB:ROTJ video game announced.

Meet The Bat-Team – Mid-Ohio added.

On-Line Happenings – Another new Gotham Girls episode

Fanzines & Fan-Clubs

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COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK (October 4th)

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BATGIRL #9

Written by Kelley Puckett, art and cover by Damian Scott.

Caught in the midst of a bank robbery, Batgirl must make split-second decisions that might cost the lives of many. But the guilt of her own past resurfaces when she comes face to face with someone whose sins are far greater - and Batgirl finds herself questioning her own motives. (32 pages, $2.50)

 

BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #136

Written by Archie Goodwin and James Robinson, art by Marshall Rogers, Bob Wiacek and John Cebollero; cover by Rogers and Cebollero.

The conclusion to the five-part "Siege." Batman is in for a huge surprise when he comes face to face with Brass and his mercenaries in the depths of Wayne Manor - only to discover that Brass knows more about the Wayne family's history than Batman ever expected - including Bruce Wayne's alter ego. What shocking family secrets involving Brass will be revealed before it's all over? (32 pages, $2.25)

 

BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #31

Written by Ty Templeton, art by Terry Beatty; cover by Templeton.

There's a blackout in Gotham. Citizens everywhere are running scared --- and who else could be behind such uncontrollable chaos but the Joker? Can the Dark Knight and company get a handle on the madness before someone seriously gets hurt? (32 pages, $1.99)

 

JLA/WITCHBLADE

Written by Len Kaminski; art by Mark Pajarillo and Walden Wong; cover by Pajarillo.

Sara Pezzini finds her eldritch weapon, the Witchblade, hopping bodies and possessing female members of the JLA. How will The World's Greatest Heroes stop one of their own without hurting them? Co-published with Top Cow Productions. (48 pages, $5.95)

 

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COMICS NEWS

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WORLD’S FUNNEST LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

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DC Comics has announced a complete list of contributors to Superman & Batman: World's Funnest, the one-shot written by Evan Dorkin due on Nov. 1.

 

The book takes cues from classic Silver Age World's Finest/Superman and Batman stories. The activities of Superman and Batman are interrupted by their pesky mystical opponents: Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite. But the comedy turns dark as the imps accidentally kill the heroes in an Elseworlds story that takes them on a destructive rampage through nearly every universe and style DC has ever published.

Highlighting the contributors are Alex Ross, who paints the realistically rendered world of Kingdom Come; Frank Miller in the realm of The Dark Knight Returns; Dave Gibbons in the Silver Age; Phil Jimenez in a Crisis of Infinite Earths take-off; and David Mazzucchelli with a Fourth World effort.

Contributors also include Mike Allred, Brian Bolland, Frank Cho, Stephen DeStefano, Joe Giella, Jaime Hernandez, Stuart Immonen, Phil Jimenez, Doug Mahnke, Sheldon Moldoff, Glen Murakami, Norm Rapmund, Scott Shaw!, Jay Stephens, Ty Templeton, Bruce Timm and Jim Woodring. The book will be colored by Chris Chuckry and lettered by Tom Orzechowski.

 

The book, edited by Joey Cavalieri, will cost $6.95.

 

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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

 

9/30/00 (11:00 am) -- "Inqueliog" 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.

 

Cartoon Network in the UK is showing "Batman of the Future" every night at 9:30 with a repeat one hour later on Cartoon Network+.

 

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

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The New Batman Adventures are not currently being shown on KidsWB!

 

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 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

 

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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TV NEWS

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BEYOND WINS TIME SLOT – AGAIN.

-----------------------------

Last Saturday’s 11:00 am Batman Beyond episode outperformed all its  time period broadcast competition to rank first among Kids 2-11, Boys 2-11 and Girls 6-11.

 

 

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MOVIE NEWS

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O’DONNELL SAYS HE’S TOO OLD

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Recently EON Magazine sat down with Chris O'Donnell to discuss his upcoming mountain climbing thriller "Vertical Limit" and touched upon the rumors of a fifth "Batman" film. O'Donnell says: "I don't know anything...I saw something in some magazine last week [making reference to the cover story of Entertainment Weekly] that said they were pushing back a lot of movies including BATMAN 5 and that was news to me. I would love to see it continue. I think I'm a probably a little old to play Robin anymore. (As if he wasn’t to start with !! – AJP ) But I had a great time making those films and as a kid I was such a huge BATMAN fan and I hope they keep making them. I know when my kids grow up, they're going to want to watch new BATMAN films. [Warner Bros.] will. It's too important a franchise to the studio".

 

FREIDLE TALKS ABOUT JOKERS’ RETURN

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Will Friedle, who does the voices of Terry McGinnis and Batman, recently told the Comics Continuum website (www.comicscontinuum.com ) that the upcoming Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker movie will "answer a bunch of questions."

 

"You do learn a little bit about what happens to one of the Robins," Friedle hinted in a preview tape for Return of the Joker that was distributed by Warner Home Video as part of a press kit, which also contained two new images from the film.  Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker will be released on VHS and DVD on Oct. 24. It will feature a flashback scene that includes the original Batman's final battle with the Joker.

"For Batman fans, this doesn't necessarily tie up a bunch of loose ends, but it incorporates so much of the old show and the Batman legend, that it's a fantastic movie," Friedle said. "It kind of ties everything together in such an interesting way, with the past and the future, and old villains meeting new villains and old heroes meeting new heroes. I remember reading the script and jumping up and down. It's fantastic."

 

"There is a huge plot point that is revealed," said Kevin Conroy, who does the voice of Bruce Wayne.

"I never suspected that this is the way it was going to evolve. I don't think any of us did. It's fascinating. It's a really interesting concept, and I think the fans are going to love it."

 

Friedle called voice recording "an incredibly interesting process. The main thing that gets me psyched up to do it is the fact that I get to say that I'm Batman, which is just the coolest thing in the world," Friedle said. "Talk about helping you get dates. It's like, you know, 'I'm Batman.'"

 

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IN THE STORES

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BEYOND THE MOVIE VIDEO GAME

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Ubi Soft Entertainment and Kemco are teaming to publish Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker on the PlayStation game console, Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64 in North America. The games will also be published in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia under the name Batman of the Future: Return of The Joker.

 

ANOTHER TRU EXCLUSIVE ?

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The JokerInc newsletter reports rumors of another Toys-R-Us exclusive 4-pack? Possible an Arkham Asylum 4-pack with repaints of Batman, Two-Face, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy.

 

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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:

 - 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’

 

DETROIT MI – October 21 & 22

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The MOTOR CITY COMIC-CON (www.motorcityconventions.com )takes place on October 21st and 22nd at the Novi Expo Center. Guests include GREG RUCKA and BRIAN STEELFREEZE

 

BALTIMORE MD – October 29

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The first BALTIMORE COMIC-CON is being held at Towson Shearton hotel on October 29th. Guests include: MARK WAID.

 

COLUMBUS OH – November 25 & 26

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This year’s Mid-Ohio-Con will be November 25 and 26 at the new Hilton Columbus Hotel, located within the exciting Easton Town Center. Show hours will be Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Advance ticket sales and updated show information can be accessed through the show's web site http://www.midohiocon.com. Confirmed guests include: YVONNE CRAIG

 

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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.

 

GOTHAM GIRLS UPDATED

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The latest “webisode” of GOTHAM GIRLS is up and running at http://www.gothamgirls.com . It features Catwoman.

 

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 / additions 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 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/

 

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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.