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GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS #161
Friday August 17th 2001
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Hi folks –
It’s been another week of crazy movie rumors, believe what you will.
On the comics front announcements of creative teams, special pricing and our regular run-down of the Batman titles Sales Charts.
As always have a great week.
Alan J. Porter
PO Box 3523
Ramona
CA 92065
USA
E-mail: gothamajp@home.com
http://www.gothamweeklynews.com
GOTHAM GAZETTE – The BATMAN Magazine On The Web
Don’t forget to check out our ongoing eBay auctions under UserID – forestcomics.
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IN THIS ISSUE OF GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS:
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Comics Shipping This Week – In stores August 22nd
Comics News – August Sales Charts
TV Show Schedules - Next 2 weeks of BB
Movie News – More casting rumors
Meet The Bat-Team - Bat-Con
On-Line Happenings - Bruce Timm Gallery relocates
Fanzines & Fan-Clubs
Order The BATMAN Collectors Guide (Back in Stock)
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COMICS SHIPPING NEXT WEEK ( August 22nd )
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BATMAN #594
Written by Ed Brubaker; art by Scott McDaniel and Karl Story; cover by McDaniel
An "Our Worlds at War" tie-in! In the conclusion to the 2-part "Sanctuary," Batman searches for the mysterious alien who has sought refuge in a Gotham Cathedral, while a showdown looms with Lew Moxon's deadly bodyguard, Zeiss! (32 pgs / $2.25)
BATMAN: ORPHEUS RISING #1
Written by Alex Simmons; art by Dwayne Turner and Danny Miki; cover by Turner
A rash of police shootings has escalated the tensions between the Gotham City Police Department and local street gangs. But as Batman investigates the shootings, he discovers more than just trigger-happy gangbangers. There's a new costumed figure in town. But is this stranger a hero or a villain? Just who is Orpheus, and what is his connection to the shootings? (32 pgs / $2.50)
Preview pages can be found at http://www.comicscontinuum.com:8080/stories/0108/17/index.htm
ROBIN #93
Written by Chuck Dixon; art and cover by Pete Woods and Andrew Pepoy
A deadly face from Spoiler's past returns to haunt her while Robin makes a horrendous discovery about two of his classmates, one of whom is his closest friend. The truth about Brentwood Academy comes to light; a familiar face or three crawl out of the woodwork with repercussions that will last into next year; and there's a giant gunfight in a hotel, no less! (32 pgs / $2.25)
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COMICS NEWS
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BRAD RADER ON CATWOMAN
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Storyboard artist Brad Rader will follow Darwyn Cooke as artist of DC Comics' new Catwoman series.
Rader told The Comics Continuum website that Cooke will draw the first four issues, and he'll pick up with #5. He said he will continue the noir-ish style established by Cooke, who is teaming with Mike Allred, in the first four issues.
"I've seen his work and it's pretty cool stuff," Rader said.
Rader is familiar with Batman, having worked on the early seasons of Fox Kids' Batman: The Animated Series and The Batman Adventures comic book. He also directed an Emmy Award-winning episode of HBO's Spawn and did some storyboard work on an episode spotlighting Jean Grey for the upcoming season of Kids' WB!'s X-Men: Evolution.
The new Catwoman series is written by Ed Brubaker and picks up from the events in the back-up story ending in Detective Comics #762.
REDUCED PRICE BATMAN ARCHIVES
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The inclusion of a $20 version of the hardcover BATMAN ARCHIVES in the recent issue of Previews was seen by many as an indication that DC would be changing its pricing policy on this excellent but expensive reprint volumes, which normally retail around $50. However this isn’t the case and the new lower price edition is a one-off event. All was explained in a recent press release from DC:
"This was one the first Archives we published," said Bob Wayne, DC's vice-president - sales and marketing. "At the time we didn't know how many we would need, so we took a guess and printed what we eventually realized was far too many. Chuck Rozanski, of Mile High Comics, suggested we offer them at a reduced price. That seemed look a good idea to us.
Because of the unique inventory situation with this title, the price reduction is limited to copies of Batman Archives Vol. 1. DC has no plans to reduce the cover price of the other Archives volumes, and no plans to reprint Archives volumes in trade paperback.”
Batman Archives Vol. 1 features stories written by Bill Finger and illustrated by Batman creator Bob Kane and others. It reprints all the Batman stories from Detective Comics #27-50 (1939-1940), including appearances by the Joker, Prof. Hugo Strange, Clayface, and Robin, the Boy Wonder. The book will be in comics shops on Oct. 3.
COMICS SHORTS
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· DC editor Matt Idelson said that Orpheus "will be showing up again" following the five-issue Batman: Orpheus Rising series.
· Greg Rucka and Rick Burchett will be teaming on a Question/Huntress back-up for Detective Comics. "It picks up the relationship from Cry for Blood," Rucka said.
SALES CHARTS AND FIGURES (AUGUST)
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Here are the positions of Batman family titles in the Direct
Market sales charts for comics shipped in AUGUST 2001. (Note these positions
reflect orders placed by the comic shops and not actual sales to readers).
Also included are estimates* of actual numbers of copies ordered.
29 – Batman #594 (no change) – 44,770
37 – World’s Finest: Our Worlds At War – (New) – 40,770
38 - Detective #761 (up 6) – 39,600
46 – Nightwing #60 ( up 7) – 36,760
48 – Batgirl #19 (up 4) – 36,420
52 – Gotham Knights #20 ( up 12) – 34,720
55 – Legends Of The Dark Knight #146 (up 4) – 33,810
57 – Harley Quinn: Our Worlds At War – (New) – 32,750
59 – Deadman: Dead Again #2 – (New) – 30,820
60 – Superman / Batman – Generations II #1 – (New) – 30,760
68 – Harley Quinn #11 (down 1) – 27,920
73 – Batman: Orpheus Rising #1 – (New) – 27,620
77 – Robin #93 ( down 1) – 27,140
84 – Birds Of Prey #34 (up 3) - 24,290
128 – Azreal #81 (up 3) - 15,240
143 – Gotham Adventures #41 (no change) – 12,590
146 – Batman Beyond #24 (up 7) - 11,590 – Final Issue
Total copies ordered 482,600
(Source: Diamond Comics Distributors)
* sales figure estimates from http://j_carl_henderson.tripod.com/july-2001.txt
GOLDEN AGE BATMAN COMICS CGC GRADED COMICS
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The Comics Guaranty Corp (CGC) recently released its first “Population Report” of high graded (9.0 and above) Golden Age books. The following issues of BATMAN were listed:
BATMAN: #6 ( 4 copies), 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17 ( 2 copies), 19 ( 2 copies), 20 ( 3 copies), 21, 22 (3 copies), 23 ( 2 copies), 24 ( 5 copies), 25, 26, 27 (7 copies), 28 ( 5 copies), 29, 30 ( 3 copies), 31 ( 4 copies), 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 ( 6 copies), 37, 38, 39, 40 ( 4 copies), 41 ( 7 copies), 43, 49 ( 2 copies), 50, 56 ( 3 copies), 59, 62 ( 2 copies), 66, 68, 75, 81, 94
The most popular Golden Age Batman issues to get graded and “slabbed” were # 27 and 41. The highest grade book were issues of #6, 23 and 41 all with a 9.6 grade.
Next week – The CGC report on the Golden-Age Detective books.
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TV SHOW SCHEDULES
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BATMAN BEYOND
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Kids'
WB! Has changed it’s schedules for the summer and the good news is the return
of BATMAN BEYOND to 2 episodes per day Monday through Thursday at 3:00pm and
4:30pm
Mon 08-20-01: (3:00pm) #11 – “A Touch of Curare” – (4:30pm) #13 -
Ascension
Tue 08-21-01: (3:00pm) #32 – “Sneak Peek” – (4:30pm) #22 “Rats”
Wed 08-22-01: (3:00pm) #14 - “Joyride” – (4:30pm) #33 – “Plague”
Thu 08-23-01: (3:00pm) #50 – “The Call (Pt. 1)” – (4:30pm) #51 – “The Call (Pt. 2)”
Mon 08-27-01: (3:00pm) #26 – “Terry's Friend Dates a Robot” – (4:30pm) #45 - “Speak No Evil”
Tue 08-28-01: (3:00pm) #52 – “Countdown” – (4:30pm) #44 “Out of the Past”
Wed 08-29-01: (3:00pm) #31 “Armory” - (4:30pm) #30 “Final Cut”
NEW BATMAN / SUPERMAN ADVENTURES
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While Cartoon Network continues to run the Superman episodes at 6:30pm Tuesday through Friday, the BATMAN episodes are currently on hold. Current rumors are that it may return as part of the fall schedule.
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
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In Canada, YTV airs Batman: The Animated Series at 3:30 AM EDT, Monday
through Friday. Check out schedules on http://www.ytv.ca (Patrick Furlong)
UPDATES NEEDED
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Are any of the BATMAN TV SHOWS running in your area / country.
BATMAN BEYOND, NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, SUPER-FRIENDS or the classic BATMAN - 1960s TV SHOW.
If so send me an e-mail (gothamajp@home.com) with the show times and I’ll list them here for all your fellow batfans.
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MOVIE NEWS****************
ANGEL AS BATMAN
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The Dark Horizons movie website reports what looks like a repeat of an old rumor that has resurfaced this week on a possible candidate for the cowl and cape in Batman: Year One.
The report says that "David Boreaenz, who plays Angel, on the WB series, could be stepping into the shoes of a legendary superhero - if my sources are correct. The quoted source claims that the TV star was approached about starring in the forthcoming BATMAN movie as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Boreaenz is still considering".
Personally I think this is one of the better casting suggestions / rumors I have heard lately.
BB CASTING RUMORS
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The World’s Finest News website reports this week on a number of casting rumors connected to the stalled BATMAN BEYOND movie. According to sources, it seems that unknown actor Mike Valentine beat out Freddie Prinze Jr. for the role of Terry McGinnis. Ontop of that apparently Ving Rhames is up for the role of Mr. Fix It and Katie Holmes up for the role of Dana Tan.
SCRIPT REVIEW A HOAX
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Several movie and Batman websites (including this one) reported last week on a detailed review for a Year One script. Apparently the whole thing was a hoax. The excellent Comics2Film site checked with Frank Miller's agent who told us that there is no June 22 draft of the script. In fact, the writer hasn't completed a first draft yet. "He's just started writing the script," said Miller's rep.
WORLDS FINEST CASTING RUMORS START
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The movie was only announced last week, a script hasn’t yet been written and already the casting rumors are flying. It seems that radio station KicksFm, reported that John Travolta might be playing the villain of the movie, at one point it was even suggested that he was being considered for the Superman role. Another rumor floating around is that Mark Wahlberg will be replacing Chris O'Donnell as Robin.
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MEET THE BAT-TEAM
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DALLAS TX – October 19-21
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HollywoodExpo has announced that its October Dallas show has been re-titled as BAT.CON to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Batman TV show. The show is scheduled for the weekend of October 19th to 21st. Featured guests include: MARK WAID, CRAIG ROUSSEAU, DAN BRERETON, NORM BREYFOGLE and from the TV show, ADAM WEST, BURT WARD, YVONNE CRAIG, JULIE NEWMAR and FRANK GORSHIN. For more details check out http://members.aol.com/toyshow/batcon.html
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ON-LINE HAPPENINGS
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BRUCE TIMM GALLERY MOVES
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The Bruce Timm Gallery is now located at www.popcultureshock.com/brucetimm
DC DIRECT NOW ON-LINE
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DC Comics excellent merchandise division is now on-line with a special website dedicated to “all those wonderful toys.” Check them out at http://www.dcdirectonline.com
GOTHAM GIRLS SECOND SEASON
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The hit
official internet site Gotham Girls is gearing up for a new season of webisodes
featuring Gotham's baddest (and best) girls around. The premiere episode of the
second season is already up, written by Paul Dini himself. To check out the
site and the new webisode, go to www.gothamgirls.com
Two new episodes were shown at the San Diego Comic-Con to great applause. The representatives from WB web studios said that the episodes will be shown in rotation with two available on the site at any given time.
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.
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
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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 with details. When contacting any of these clubs please mention GWN.)
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED NEWSLETTER
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Started in 1998, this newsletter dedicated to the animated aspect of Batman, has been making and breaking news. The newsletter has a weekly/bi-weekly schedule, and contains news, schedules, links, editorials, and a lot more for the animated Batman-fan. To check out back issues of this newsletter, go to http://www.toonzone.net/news/btan and to subscribe, simple email juno@dccnet.com and put 'Subscribe' in the subject line.
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
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 moore 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 3523
Ramona
CA 92065
* US orders postage free.
* CA residents please add 7 1/2% 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
Ain’t It Cool News (http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/ )
Bat Signal newsletter
Comics2Film (http://www.comics2film.com/ )
Comic Buyers Guide
Comics Continuum (http://comicscontinuum.com/index.htm )
Comics International
Comic Shop News
Dark Horizons (http://www.darkhorizons.com/news.htm )
Joker Inc Newsletter (http://jokerinc.action-figure.net )
Previews
Wizard: The Comics Magazine
World’s Finest News (http://wf.toonzone.net/wfnews/ )
GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS is a FOREST COMICS Publication.
FOREST COMICS and GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS are (c) and TM - Alan J. Porter (1994 - 2001)
"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 gothamajp@home.com with the words "unsubscribe GWN" in the subject line.