Friday 7th November 2003 / Friday November 14th 2003
NEW CREATIVE TEAM ON "BATMAN" TITLE
Writer Judd Winick and artist Dustin Nguyen are the next creative team for Batman, it was announced during the DC Comics panel at the Las Vegas Comics Convention on Halloween weekend
The pair will follow the current run by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso beginning a six-issue run called "As The Crow Flies" with April's Batman #625.
For more on this see the Comics News below.
GWN Update : First off, an apology. Once again due to time pressures with the day job and a pressing deadline for a magazine article, I missed my usual Friday post date for GWN.
In fact the more astute readers may have noticed from the headline above that this is a double issue. As on Friday 14th November I will once again be travelling, although this time it's on Batman related business, and won't be able to post a new issue.
There's plenty of news below, so please enjoy yourselves and we'll be back to a normal schedule as soon as possible.
As always have a good week and all the best.. - Alan J. Porter
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IN THIS ISSUE
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NEW BATMAN CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED
As noted above DC recently announced that writer Judd Winick and artist Dustin Nguyen will be the next creative team for the BATMAN title. The pair will follow the current run by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso beginning a six-issue run called "As The Crow Flies" with April's Batman #625.
Winnick talked to a couple of comics news-sites about the gig.
On Comics Continuum he discussed how artist "Dustin has worked on Wildcats for the past couple of years for WildStorm, and he's been waiting his entire life to do Batman, Frankly, I have, too. Everybody always has a Batman story to tell and this is the one that has been rolling around in my head for a while. We are going to touch upon stuff that happened in 'Hush' as well as stuff that's happened in Brian's run. We're touching upon continuity in the book as much as we can, but it is a story that will stand on its own."
Winick didn't reveal details about the arc, other than Scarecrow is the villain. "It's a crime story," Winick said. "At the beginning, middle and end, Batman is about a crime story and you've also brought in this smattering of bizarre super villains. So you'll have that."
On Newsarama he
talked about how he got the gig, Winick said that it wasn't
entirely his plan from the start. “Calling it a happy accident would not be entirely
wrong,” Winick told Newsarama. “It all started around the time of WonderCon this
past year. I’d just moved to San Francisco, and the whole DC gang was out there for
the show. I was having lunch with Dan Didio, and we were talking about, actually, nothing
in particular – it was one of those lunches where we were catching up on everything I
was currently doing, with no discussion of new projects. On the way back, we were sort of
having some idle talk about a bunch of stuff, and he told me that he had his hands full
with a bunch of artists that wanted to work on Batman, and not enough people to
write it.
“I asked who the artists were, and Dan fired back with, ‘Do you have time to do
Batman?’ and I asked again who the artists were. One of the first names was Dustin,
and when I heard that, I told him to sign me up. If Dustin wanted to work with me, I
wanted to work with him. He’s never done Batman, he really wanted to, and for my
first Batman story – Dustin’s the guy I’d like to see draw it. So, Dan
checked, and Dustin was on board. Then I had to figure out what the story was going to be.”
Winick and Nguyen’s story will also act as something of a bridge, something that will
also act to nip some reader’s complaints about DC’s approach to the Batman
series in the bud. “We’re going to tie this one back to the two previous story
arcs,” Winick said. “DC doesn’t want the overall series to seem like it’s
a collection of repurposed miniseries under the title of Batman. There will be a
certain level of continuity between the three – albeit minor, but having read the
previous issues will help, although it will not be essential.”
Looking at the publisher’s present approach to Batman, Winick, naturally, is
supportive of the successive creative teams telling single stories approach. “When
Jeph and Jim’s run took off into the stratosphere, the discussion at DC immediately
became, ‘What will we do next?’ Frankly, virtually everybody has a good Batman
story in them, and since ‘Hush’ gave them the time to look for them, they
decided to go down that route, and find people to do stories. Following me, there are some
amazing people coming up – big, earth-shattering guys who are coming on to do it.
Everybody will be doing a story in the Batman series, but it’s all tied
together slightly and all under the same umbrella, and under the watchful eye of Dan Didio
and the Batman group. They’re not letting anyone stray too far off the reservation.
When things happen, they have to stay within a form of continuity.
“All told, I’m pleased, thrilled and honored to be doing this story, and
thrilled that DC has opened the door for me in the first place. I’m just happy that
DC trusts me enough to let me play with the big toys, and is letting me tell the best
stories I can in the best ways possible.”
PAUL POPE PROJECT
According to journalist Rich Johnson reknowned writer / artist Paul Pope is currently working a number of short colour stories including "Teenage Sidekick" featuring the Golden Age Batman and Robin,
VARIOUS BATMAN RELATED RUMORS
SALES CHARTS
Diamond has just released the list of Top 300 Comics for October 2003 based on actual product shipped. Here's the positions for the various Batman and related books:
Comics
Graphic Novels / Trade Paperbacks
Comics Shipping (November 12th)
BATGIRL: YEAR ONE -
Written by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon; art and covers by Marcos Martin and Alvaro Lopez - A look into the action-packed origin of the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon! This volume collects the 9-issue miniseries that uncovered Gordon’s transformation from average citizen into costumed super-heroine. - 224pg. | Color | Softcover | $17.95BATMAN: CHILD OF DREAMS -
Written by Kia Asamiya; translation by Max Allan Collins; art and painted cover by Asamiya - Batman gets the manga treatment! It’s a mammoth adventure by manga sensation Kia Asamiya featuring the World’s Greatest Detective in action in both Gotham and Tokyo, locked in mortal combat with his greatest enemies! - 128pg. | Color | Softcover | $19.95BATMAN: DEATH AND THE MAIDENS #4 -
Written by Greg Rucka; art and cover by Klaus Janson - The final R’as al Ghul story continues! Bruce must weigh the cost of Ra’s al Ghul’s incredible offer and determine whether he can accept making a deal with the devil. Plus, we at last begin to learn the history behind Nyssa’s war with Ra's. And Batman is confronted by the last person he ever imagined he'd see again! - 32pg. | Color | 4 OF 9 | $2.95BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #173 -
Written by John Wagner; art and cover by Chris Brunner - Batman confronts Rough Justice! Frustrated by the extreme methods of the group, Hellfire tries to leave. But the only way out is in a body bag. Plus, Detective Ehrlich is convinced that Batman is connected to Rough Justice and leads the Gotham City Police Department on a manhunt for the Dark Knight! - 32pg. | Color | $2.50GOTHAM CENTRAL #13 -
Written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka; art and cover by Michael Lark - The shadow of the Joker crosses the GCPD! A lone sniper terrorizes Gotham City, and the detectives are always one step behind. As word of the crisis hits the media, panic starts to spread, making the police's job that much harder…and when it becomes apparent that the Joker may be involved, the city turns into a powder keg, ready to blow! - 32pg. | Color | $2.50JSA #54 -
Written by Geoff Johns; art by Don Kramer and Keith Champagne; cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jésus Meriño. - The JLA guest-stars in a follow-up to last year's hardcover hit graphic novel: JLA/JSA: VIRTUE AND VICE. It's that time of the year again – Thanksgiving – and the JLA ventures once again to the JSA's Headquarters to give thanks...thanks that these teams don't get together more often! Pull up a seat and join in on the fun-spirited day. Guest-starring Superman, BATMAN, Green Arrow, the Atom and many more! - 32pg. | Color | $2.50NIGHTWING #87 -
Written by Devin Grayson; art and cover by Patrick Zircher and Andy Owens - Blockbuster turns up the heat in his personal war against Nightwing! But when danger strikes close to home, will Dick Grayson’s life ever be the same? Don’t miss a defining moment in the life of Nightwing! - 32pg. | Color | $2.25SUPERMAN & BATMAN: GENERATIONS III #11 -
Written and illustrated by John Byrne; cover by Byrne - It's the 29th century, and Lois Lane and Lana Lang have just arrived without a clue as to how they got there! Join them as they search for the only person they know they can trust: the adult Superboy…who left Earth hundreds of years ago! - 32pg. | Color | 11 of 12 | $2.95TITANS #5 -
Written by Geoff Johns; art by Mike McKone and Marlo Alquiza; cover by McKone and Alquiza - Infighting reaches a whole new level with the Teen Titans as they struggle to save what's left of their team and friendship from Deathstroke! Plus, what does Ares want with Wonder Girl? - 32pg. | Color | $2.50Comics Shipping (November 17th)
BATGIRL #46 -
Written by Dylan Horrocks; art by Rick Leonardi and Jesse Delperdang; painted cover by James Jean - Guest-starring Oracle, with cameos by Batman and Nightwing! Batgirl seeks out the source of the new designer drug, Soul, that's bringing chaos to the streets of Gotham City. But when her investigation leads Cassandra to the "enhanced" street gang called The Lost Girls, Batgirl is suddenly thrust into battle against the one enemy she thought she'd never face: herself! -BATMAN ADVENTURES #8 -
Written by Dan Slott and Ty Templeton; art by Rick Burchett and Terry Beatty; cover by Kelsey Shannon - Batman faces off against the Black Mask! Whose side will the deadly Phantasm take? Plus, in a brooding back-up story, Bruce reflects on the many masks he wears. - BATMAN | 32pg. | Color | $2.25BATMAN: DETECTIVE #27 -
Written by Michael Uslan; art and cover by Peter Snejbjerg - Bruce Wayne becomes a member of a secret society of detectives to battle the decades old criminal conspiracy that left him an orphan in this stunning original hardcover graphic novel!Babe Ruth, Teddy Roosevelt, Selina Kyle and others are just a few of the players in a Batman story unlike any before. - BATMAN | 96pg. | Hardcover | Color | $19.95BATMAN/SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN: TRINITY #3 -
Written and illustrated by Matt Wagner; cover by Wagner - Matt Wagner's tale featuring DC Comics' greatest super-heroes reaches its breakneck climax! While attempting to save the world from total destruction, an uneasy bond is formed by three new allies. Can they rally to defeat the mysterious eco-terrorist who commands the power to bring the world to its knees? - DC UNIVERSE | 64pg. | Color | 3 of 3 | Prestige Format | $6.95BIRDS OF PREY #61 -
Written by Gail Simone; art and cover by Ed Benes and Alex Lei - In issue #60, Oracle made a shocking decision. Now Babs and Dinah must face the consequences! And to make matters worse, the Birds are hunted by their most powerful foe yet: the U.S. government! - BATMAN | 32pg. | Color | $2.50OUTSIDERS #6 -
Written by Judd Winick; art by ChrisCross and Sean Parsons; cover by Michael Golden - The Outsiders are on the heels of Brother Blood in an issue featuring guest art by ChrisCross and Sean Parsons! As the team attempts to shut down Blood's global satellite-activation system before he's able to activate his sleeper agents, an act of kindness could end the life of a hero. - DC UNIVERSE | 32pg. | Color | $2.50ROBIN #120 -
Written by Jon Lewis; art by Pete Woods and Andrew Pepoy; cover by Jo Chen - Robin must confront the dark fact that someone in the ranks is going to turn traitor in the years to come, plunging Gotham into a deadly war between heroes and vigilantes. If Robin doesn't learn the traitor's identity fast, he'll be relegated to spectator as the world he knows goes to Hell in a handbasket. - BATMAN | 32pg. | Color | $2.25Justice League in December
Cartoon Network has released the following descriptions for the new Justice League episodes debuting in December.
Saturday, December 6: "Wild Card" - In the ultimate reality show, the Joker pits the Justice League against the clock and against the Royal Flush Gang as the Justice League races to find and disarm all the bombs he's planted along the Strip in Las Vegas.
Saturday, December 13: "Comfort and Joy" - After saving a distant planet, the Justice League returns to Earth just in time for Christmas Eve. While Flash plays Santa for some orphans, Superman invites J'onn home to celebrate the holidays in Smallville. Meanwhile, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl share their favorite holiday traditions with each other.
WB Animation News
Toon Zone
notes that Warner Bros. Animation has named Roland Poindexter to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Action-Adventure Properties. That means this guy will be greenlighting (or not) all Warner related animated action, from Bats to Supes (no apologies to John Byrne), Titans to JL and so forth.JUSTICE LEAGUE (Cartoon Network)
TEEN TITANS (Cartoon Network)
TEEN TITANS (KidsWB)
UK TV SCHEDULE
Toonami, Turner's new UK cartoon Network has just started broadcasting. The following Batman shows will be running.
BATMAN OF THE FUTURE (Batman Beyond) :
JUSTICE LEAGUE
LATEST BATMAN 5 RUMORS & NEWS
A rumor was going the rounds last week that wrestler Adam Copeland (Edge) had landed a role in BATMAN: INTIMIDATION to play a bad guy called Egghead ( a villian from the TV show originally played by Vincent Price). However during an on-line chat on November 6th, the wrestler denied there was any truth to the speculation.
DAVID GOYER INTERVIEW
Countingdown.com recently posted an interview with script writer David Goyer. "I have never been happy with any of the 'Batman' movies. They got some things right, but I was always disappointed, and I don't think that there's been anything even close to a definitive 'Batman' film. What was interesting for me, working on ['Batman'], is that on one hand, I was in the trenches working and on the other hand, I was this kid going, 'Oh my God, I can't believe that they're letting us do this because it's everything that I ever wanted to see in a big, sweeping, epic superhero movie.'" When asked about Christian Bale, Goyer replied, "Bale is an excellent choice...I think the fans should be doing cartwheels. Face it, the guy was born to play Bruce/Batman."
CATWOMAN UPDATES
WARNERS PRESS RELEASE ON CATWOMAN
CATWOMAN, starring Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry
(Gothika, Monster's Ball), Benhamin Bratt (Traffic, Red Planet), Sharon Stone (Cold Creek
Manor, Casino) and Lambert Wilson (The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions) commenced
principal photography on Sunday, September 28, 2003 in Vancouver, it was announced by Jeff
Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation in association with Village Roadshow Pictures,
CATWOMAN is produced by Denise DiNovi (What A Girl Wants) and Ed McDonnell (Insomnia,
Three Kings) and directed by Pitof (Vidocq, visual effects director, Alien: Ressurection,
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc). Michael Fottrell, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E.
Uslan and Bruce Berman are the film's executive producers, Alison Greenspan is co-producer
and Sara E. White serves as
IN THE STORES
BATMAN BOBBLE-HEADS
Monogram International on Friday announced that DC Comics has granted the company a comprehensive, multi-year agreement to produce several items featuring DC characters.
To facilitate the new products, Monogram has launched a new division, Monogram Masterworks, dedicated to high quality items featuring DC characters.
Monogram Masterworks will kick off the license with a new bobble line: Headstrong Heroes and Headstrong Villians. The first series of 8-inch bobbles features Batman, Robin, The Joker and Catwoman. The second series will include Superman and Wonder Woman. Monogram Masterworks is the first to create bobble heads in dynamic poses with flexible capes and accessories on custom bases.Superman will be breaking his chains, Robin triumphant over his opponent, and Batman appears overlooking Gotham City.
"We have taken great pride in the development of the Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman line," said Mike Normann, vice president of sales and marketing for Monogram. "From precise sculpting to true color tones and shading, each and every piece is extremely detailed to insure the DC Super Hero line appeals to dedicated and new fans."
After the first series of Headstrong Heroes, Mongoram will be releasing plush toys, figurines, busts bank, figural banks, keychains and drinkware.
Toronto Comic-Con, Toronto, Canada - Nov 7th to 9th
Canada's premire comics event has an excellent line up of guests this yera including: DAN BRERETON, PAUL GULACY, MARSHALL ROGERS, TY TEMPLETON,
Kansas City Comic Con, Shawnee KS, Nov 15th to 16th
Guests at this growing show include: NORM BREYFOGLE and BILL WILLINGHAM,
Wizard World Texas, Arlington TX, Nov 21st-23rd
Guests at this major convention include: PAUL DINI, MICHAEL LARK and JIM LEE,
Big Apple National Show, New York, Nov 28-30
Guests include: JULIE SCHWATRZ and NEAL ADAMS,
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GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS is a FOREST COMICS Publication.
FOREST COMICS and GOTHAM WEEKLY NEWS are (c) and TM - Alan J. Porter (1994 - 2003)
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BATMAN and all related characters and indicia are acknowledged as Trademark and copyright DC Comics Inc..
BATMAN created by Bob Kane & Bill Finger