Friday 21st November 2003
DC ANNOUNCE NEW COLLECTED EDITIONS
At the recent Wizard World - Texas convention DC Comics announced several new collected editions and graphic novels that will feature The Batman and associated characters. Perhaps the biggest announcment was the scheduling of TITANS: GAMES an original Graphic Novel by Marv Wolfman and George Perez that was originally started in 1988. Artist Perez had completed about 70 pages (detail left) before the project was halted.
Also this week we have news of a possible new direct-to-video animated movie, plus updates on BATMAN 5 and more on-set pictures from the set of CATWOMAN
GWN NEWS - Apologies once again for the slight delay in posting this issue of GWN. I've been busy over the last week getting ready for the launch of my new book, BEFORE THEY WERE BEATLES. You can find out more about that project at BeforeTheyWerebeatles.com
I'm afraid there will be no GWN next week for as I'll be taking a break for the Thanksgiving Holiday. On Friday 28th I hope to be at the Big Apple Convention in New York.
For US based readers, have a Happy Thanksgiving, and as always have a good week and all the best. . - Alan J. Porter
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IN THIS ISSUE
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DC COMICS FOR FEBRUARY 2004
DC Comics has released the list of products that will be arriving in stores in February 2004. You can see the full list at http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=2959
CATWOMAN MOVIE COMIC
The Comics Continuum reports that DC Comics will be publishing an adaptation of the upcoming Catwoman and Constantine films from Warner Bros., DC's Dan DiDio told The Continuum.
"It would seem kind of silly not to," said DiDio, DC's VP Publishing, at Wizard World Texas on Sunday.
DiDio said the creative team and format have not been finalized yet. It's possible that instead of simply a film-to-comic translation, the book will contain features and other materials, similar to DC's ongoing Smallville comic. (See Movie News below for the latest on the Catwoman movie)
NEW BATMAN COLLECTED EDITIONS
As mentioned in the headlines above, DC Comics have announced several projects featuring the Batman and associated characters for publication in early 2004.
- Leading the list is a deluxe hardcover edition of the BATMAN/SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN: TRINITY mini-series. Written and illustrated by Matt Wagner, which chronicled the first meetings of comics' three greatest icons. "What a thrill and an honor to have TRINITY collected in such a beautiful format," says Wagner. "This series was an absolute blast for me from beginning to end. Trying to capture and balance the iconic energy of the world's three most widely recognized super-heroes was a lifelong dream for me and, as an independent creator most used to working on his own properties, I'm happy to say how very accommodating DC was in allowing me to bring my own vision to the table. I'm extremely happy with the final product and I can't wait to get my hands on any or all of these archetypes again!" BATMAN/SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN: TRINITY HC is planned to include a sketchbook section and a new cover by Wagner. It will be solicited in the March issue of Previews (Volume XIV, #3) and is scheduled to reach stores in May with a cover price of $24.95 U.S.
- Shipping in March will be BATMAN IN THE FORTIES TP. This trade paperback collects stories from BATMAN #7, 15, 20, 34, 37, 47, 48, and 49, DETECTIVE COMICS #27, 33, 38, 49, and 80, REAL FACT COMICS #5, STAR-SPANGLED COMICS #70, WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #30 as well as selections from the classic BATMAN newspaper comic strip. Written by Bill Finger, Jack Schiff and others with art by Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, George Roussos, Dick Sprang, Jack Burnley, Winslow Mortimer and others and an introduction by Bill Schelly. It is scheduled to be in stores in March with a cover price of $19.95 U.S.
- TEEN TITANS: A KID'S GAME TP also ships in March 2004. This trade paperback collects TEEN TITANS #1-7 Written by Geoff Johns with art by Mike McKone, Tom Grummett and Marlo Alquiza and a cover by Michael Turner. Cover price of $9.95 U.S.
- BATGIRL: FISTS OF FURY TP ships in APril 2004 with a $14.95 cover price. This trade paperback collects BATGIRL #15-16, 21 and 26-28. Written by Kelley Puckett and Scott Peterson with art by Damion Scott, Vincent Giarrano, Phil Noto, Robert Campanella and Jesse Delperdang and a cover by Scott & Campanella
- The multiple Award Winning BATMAN: GOTHAM CENTRAL gets its first trade collection in April. The trade paperback collects GOTHAM CENTRAL #1-5. Written by Greg Rucka & Ed Brubaker with art and cover by Michael Lark. Scheduled to be in stores in April with a cover price of $9.95 U.S.
- The excellent archive series continues with BATMAN: THE WORLD'S FINEST COMICS ARCHIVES VOLUME 2. Collecting stories from WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #17-32. Written by Bill Finger, Don Cameron, Joe Samachson, and others with art by Bob Kane, Jack Burnley, Dick Sprang, Charles Paris, Winslow Mortimer, and others and an introduction by Bill Schelly. Scheduled to be in stores in April with a cover price of $49.95 U.S.
TITANS: GAMES GRAPHIC NOVEL TO BE PUBLISHED AFTER 15-YEAR WAIT
DC will publish George Perez and Marv Wolfman’s New
Teen Titans Graphic Novel which originally began production in 1988. Perez had over 70
of the pages draw before the plug was pulled, and the final page count of the GN should
run in the 120 page range.
Set in the era of the “classic” Wolfman/Perez Titans, the OGN will include a new
framing sequence by Wolfman and Perez that will allow the story to stand in current
continuity.
First, a little history on the graphic novel. The setting for Games is just after
the “deluxe” or “baxter” series changes its name from The New Teen
Titans to The New Titans, circa 1988. “The Judas Contact” was a
memory, Dick Grayson had become Nightwing, the Wildebeast was around, Perez had left the
series, and had just come back with issue #50, the “Who is Wonder Girl?”
four-part arc.
Details and art previews at http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6776
DC OFFER MASSIVE DISCOUNTS ON SELECT BOOKS
DC is offering a 70% discount to retailers on the following books through December 8th. If you haven't got a copy of any of these, ask your retailer now and get them at a discounted price.
SOLD OUT: SUPERMAN/BATMAN #1 THIRD PRINTING!
DC Comics has issued a press release that he first issue of the hot new series SUPERMAN/BATMAN once again has sold out at DC Comics (although copies still may be available at retail). The third printing of SUPERMAN/BATMAN #1 sold out less than two weeks after reaching stores on November 5.
"Once again, we're so lucky to have the support of the fans and retailers on this book," says writer Jeph Loeb. "We're thrilled that the response has been out of this world. Following this arc we've got Pat Lee doing Issue #7 and then another massive storyline with Michael Turner starting in #8 - both doing their first DC super-hero stories! On behalf of myself, Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines, Richard Starkings and Dave Stewart - we're doing our best to bring the heat!"
Four months after its first printing reached stores in July, Teen Titans #1 Fourth Printing has sold out at DC Comics, though copies still may be available at retail. This printing of the debut issue sold out just one day after reaching stores on Nov. 12.
"Thanks goes to the readers, the retailers and DC for letting all of us work on the book," said writer Geoff Johns. "This is just great, because Mike McKone and I and everyone are just getting started with Teen Titans.
"Issue #6 is due out next month with the JLA swooping in unwelcomed, and then we've got some big things in store for Raven and the all-new Brother Blood coming up soon after. Brother Blood will scare the hell out of the Titans when they find out what his plans are, and what his powers are."
Comics Shipping (November 26th)
BATMAN #621 - Written by Brian Azzarello; art by Eduardo Risso; cover by Dave Johnson - Part 2 of the 6-part "Broken City" by the creative team of 100 BULLETS! Batman continues the hunt for the man who killed a boy's parents in Gotham's underground, with the help of GOTHAM CENTRAL's Detective Crispin Allen. But as luck would have it, the Dark Knight runs into a little problem. Little problems in Gotham? Fat chance. - BATMAN | 32pg. | Color | $2.25BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #47 -
Written by Scott Beatty and Will Pfeifer; art by Roger Robinson, Whilce Portacio, John Floyd and Sal Regla; cover by Brian Bolland -CATWOMAN #25 -
Written by Ed Brubaker; art by Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti; cover by Gulacy - New art team Paul Gulacy & Jimmy Palmiotti come aboard for a storyline that brings Catwoman back to Gotham City! Things in East End have taken a turn for the worse, and a gang war is brewing. You won't believe the deadly Batman foe brought in to contain the "feline problem!" - BATMAN | 32pg. | Color | $2.50CATWOMAN: CROOKED LITTLE TOWN -
Written by Ed Brubaker; art by Brad Rader, Cameron Stewart and Rick Burchett; cover by Michael Avon Oeming - A volume collecting CATWOMAN #5-10 and CATWOMAN SECRET FILES, written by GOTHAM CENTRAL and DETECTIVE COMICS’ Ed Brubaker! Holly uses her street-savvy skills to help Catwoman get to the bottom of a new spread of drugs - only to find herself in danger and ultimately wanted by the police! Plus, a new cover and story pencilled by Michael Avon Oeming (Powers)! - BATMAN | 168pg. |&nbssp; Softcover | Color | $14.95JLA #90 -
Written by Joe Kelly; art by ChrisCross and Tom Nguyen; cover by Doug Mahnke and Nguyen - Ever since that fateful kiss during the Obsidian Age saga, readers have been clamoring for Batman and Wonder Woman to resolve their conflicted feelings for each other - and this is the issue where it happens, for better or worse! - DC UNIVERSE | 32pg. | Color | $2.25JLA-Z #3 -
Written by Mike McAvennie; art by Drew Johnson, Phil Jimenez, Rick Burchett, Pia Guerra, Todd Nauck, Shane Davis, Jennifer Graves, Ray Snyder, Lary Stucker, Rob Stull, Jose Marzan Jr., and various; cover by Jimenez - The miniseries showcasing DC's greatest heroes concludes! Profiling the DC characters prominently featured in JLA/AVENGERS, this issue spans from the Martian Manhunter to Zatanna, illustrated by some of the greatest artists working in comics today and topped with the final piece of a triptych cover by Phil Jimenez (WONDER WOMAN, New X-Men). - DC UNIVERSE | 32pg. | 3 of 3 | Color | $2.50SUPERMAN/BATMAN #4 -
Written by Jeph Loeb; art and cover by Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines - DC's newest hit series continues! Captain Atom gathers the team of heroes hand-picked by President Luthor to bring in the fugitive Superman and Batman. And they're just the first wave of the attack! - DC UNIVERSE | 32pg. | Color | $2.95TEEN TITANS GO! #1 -
Written by J. Torres, art by Todd Nauck and Lary Stucker; cover by Dave Bullock - It's Cartoon Network's hottest new super-team! Join Robin and his band of teenage heroes: the brave Cyborg, funny guy Beast Boy, the naïve but seriously hot (and way powerful) Starfire, and the moody goth-girl Raven as they battle for truth, justice and pizza! - DC UNIVERSE | 32pg. | Color | $2.25BATMAN BEYOND & TITANS "TURKEY SURPRISE" ON KIDS WB!
Kids' WB! will provide previews of its 2004 shows -- including Static Shock and Astro Boy -- during "Turkey Surprise Day," a special block of programming scheduled to air on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 8 a.m.-noon (ET). The morning will be hosted by the Teen Titans from their tower. Static Shock is expected to begin its fourth season early next year with an episode teaming Static with Batman Beyond.
THE ARCHER R.I.P.
Most websites and papers covered the death of Oscar Winner and acting legend Art Carney who died Sunday November 9th at the age of 85. What most tributes overlooked was that Carney played the part of the made-for-TV villian The Archer in the ‘60s Batman TV series. The Archer was a Robin Hood type villain who took from the rich but gave only to himself and his Merry Men. Carney was in Batman episode 35, Shoot a Crooked Arrow.
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
NEW ANIMATED MOVIE ON THE WAY ?
Comic Book Resources reports that at the recent Wizard World Texas convention Paul Dini said that, after the success of "Batman: The Mystery of the Batwoman," there will likely be another direct-to-video Batman project in the future: ironically, one which was started several years ago. "That's something that was started two years ago by Alan Burnett and myself, but was put to the side when they finished 'Mystery of the Batwoman.' It's a lot of fun. It's a Batman team-up with a lot of heroes."
BATMAN FOREVER ON TV
Batman Forever will return to Cinemax in January with five showings: Thursday, Jan. 1 at 6:30 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 5 at 8 a.m.; Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m.; and Friday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m.
LATEST BATMAN 5 RUMORS & NEWS
CATWOMAN UPDATES
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)
"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