Friday 5th December 2003
MICHAEL CAINE TO PLAY ALFRED
The day after we posted the last issue of GWN, VARIETY , Empire and a host of other sites reported that British actor Sir Michael Caine has landed the role of Bruce Wayne's trusted butler, confidant, and partner, Alfred Pennyworth, in the upcoming BATMAN film helmed by Chris Nolan. Caine is the second actor that has officially signed on for the film, joining Christian Bale who will don the cape and cowl as The Batman. More casting rumors (including a possible role for CLINT EASTWOOD) in the Movie News section below.
CATWOMAN ON THE PROWL
Here's a few (somewhat blurry) photos that show Halle Berry in costume on the set of Catwoman. For more photos taken during one of the motorcycle scenes see Movie News below. As always have a great week. - Alan J. Porter
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Comics Shipping (December 10th)
BATMAN: DEATH AND THE MAIDENS #5 -
Written by Greg Rucka; art and cover by Klaus Janson - The miniseries by Greg Rucka and Klaus Janson continues to heat up! Batman has made a deal with the devil, accepting a gift from his ultimate foe: Ra's al Ghul. Now his past and present collide as he seeks to make peace with the most horrific nightmare from his childhood. And while Batman is temporarily out of the picture, the only person Ra's fears is creating her greatest weapon in her war with al Ghul... - 32pg. | Color | 5 OF 9 | $2.95BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #174 -
Written by John Wagner; art and cover by Chris Brunner - The origin of Rough Justice is revealed! Batman barely escapes the Gotham Police Department's trap, and Bruce Wayne becomes the focus of Rough Justice's attention when they're forced to seek "contributions" from Gotham's elite to fund their expensive war on crime! - 32pg. | Color | $2.50GOTHAM CENTRAL #14 -
Written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka; art by Michael Lark and Stefano Gaudiano; cover by Lark - The acclaimed series hits another turning point as the Joker's reign of terror in Gotham City continues! While the GCPD race against the clock to prevent him from claiming another victim, the story leaks to the media and widespread panic hits Gotham. - 32pg. | Color | $2.50SUPERMAN & BATMAN: GENERATIONS III #12 -
Written and illustrated by John Byrne; cover by Byrne - The astonishing maxiseries ends with the destruction of the Earth itself! In the wake of this cataclysm, will even the ultimate sacrifice of the world's few surviving heroes be enough to stop Darkseid from enslaving the rest of the universe? - 32pg. | Color | 12 of 12 | $2.95TEEN TITANS #6 -
Written by Geoff Johns; art and cover by Mike McKone and Marlo Alquiza - The JLA has promised to keep out of the Teen Titans' business - but promises are made to be broken. Much like arms, according to Starfire! - 32pg. | Color | $2.50JUSTICE LEAGUE IN JANUARY
The Comics Continuum website reports that "the seven current members of the Justice League will have plenty of company next year. There will be many guest-stars in the new season of the Cartoon Network series, which is currently in the works at Warner Bros. Animation. Among the heroes appearing next season will be Red Tornado, Green Arrow and Black Canary."
It appears that there may also be a name change and that the 3rd season of the show will be titled "Justice League Unlimited."
In other Justice League news:
* January episodes on Cartoon Network are as follows, with weekday showings at 10:30 p.m. and Saturday showings at 10 p.m.:
"Secret Origins, Pt. 1" on Monday, Jan. 5; "Secret Origins, Pt. 2" on Tuesday, Jan 6; "Secret Origins, Pt. 3" on Wednesday, Jan. 7; "Hearts and Minds" on Saturday, Jan. 10.
"In Blackest Night, Pt. 2" on Monday, Jan. 12; "The Enemy Below, Pt. 1" on Tuesday, Jan. 13; "The Enemy Below, Pt. 2" on Wednesday, Jan. 14; "Injustice for All, Pt 1" on Thursday, Jan. 15; "A Better World" on Saturday, Jan. 17.
"Injustice for All, Pt. 2" on Monday, Jan. 19; "Paradise Lost, Pt. 1" on Tuesday, Jan. 20; "Paradise Lost, Pt. 2" on Wednesday, Jan. 21; "War World, Pt. 1" on Thursday, Jan. 22; "Eclipsed" on Saturday, Jan. 24.
"War World, Pt. 2" on Monday, Jan. 26; "Brave and the Bold, Pt. 1" on Tuesday, Jan. 27; "Brave and the Bold, Pt. 2" on Wednesday, Jan. 28; "Fury, Pt. 2" on Thursday, Jan. 29
The second season of the Teen Titans animated series will begin Saturday, Jan. 10 on Cartoon Network. The show will remain in its 9 p.m. (ET/PT) time period for the new season.
In the new season Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire and Raven will be joined by Terra, a powerful young girl with the ability to move mountains.
Guest appearances in the new season will come from Speedy, Aqualad, Wildebeest and Warp. Returning villains include Gizmo, Plasmus, Cinderblock, Overload and the Titans¹ arch-nemesis Slade.
The full line up for January 2004 is as follows:
Saturday, Jan. 10: "How Long is Forever?" - Warp, a super-thief from the future, travels back in time to steal a priceless antique. But when the Teen Titans show up to stop him, Warp tries to escape. Starfire is pulled into his Time Vortex and accidentally hurled 20 years into the future.
Saturday, Jan. 17: "Every Dog Has His Day" - A strange green Alien Dog comes to Earth with a mysterious flying saucer chasing after it. But when the Alien Dog bumps into Green Dog Beast Boy, who's hanging out at the dog park, the flying saucer accidentally abducts the wrong pooch. When the Teen Titans spot the Alien Dog, they mistakenly think it's Beast Boy.
Saturday, Jan.24: "Terra" - The Teen Titans meet Terra, a small teenage girl with big powers. Gifted with amazing earth-moving abilities, Terra can make rocks fly, mountains crumble, and the ground tremble beneath her feet. At first, it seems like this young hero might make a great addition to the team. But Terra has a secret, and only Slade knows the truth.
Saturday, Jan. 31: "Only Human" - Back when Cyborg was a fully human athlete, he loved trying to do more than he thought he could do. But now that his muscles are mechanical, Cyborg's limitations are built-in. But when the other Teen Titans are captured, Cyborg is forced to fight Atlas, a giant robot.
TITANS WB RATINGS
In other Teen Titans news, the show had a successful first month on Kids' WB!, helping the network to its 13th consecutive sweeps victory in the ratings. Teen Titans, which airs on Kids' WB! at 8:30 a.m. ET on Saturdays, took the No. 5 spot among the broadcast and cable competition in Tweens 9-14 (4.3 rating/26 share) and Male Tweens 9-14 (6.5/33) and the No. 6 spot in Boys 6-11 (6.0/26), tying Jackie Chan Adventures (6.0/24). It ranked among the top 10 in Boys 2-11 (4.7/21), also ranking among the top seven broadcast programs in Kids 2-11 (3.1/15) and Kids 6-11 (3.8/18).
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
CATWOMAN UPDATES
"I never thought that this would be like the turn in my career, that I'm now this like super-hero," Berry said during an appearance on ABC's The View recently. "But with Catwoman, it's such an iconic character, and it's been done so well before. Initially, I did think, 'Why would I want to do it?' I thought I could bring something hopefully different to it. It's a different woman. It's a whole decade later from the last time Michelle Pfeiffer did it. And it's still a woman who is so empowered. Catwoman lives life her way, but her own rules. And there's something really seductive about playing that kind of character."
One of the early promotional images was shown, and Berry was asked how she came to look so muscular. "I've been really working hard with a trainer, and he's got me on this high-protein, low-carb diet," Berry said. "Not losing weight, but actually, in my case, to gain weight in some places and lose weight in some places." Berry revealed a trick that emphasizes the toned nature of her body. They put this shiny, silvery powder on me and oil and light it right," Berry said. "Everybody can look like they have muscles, it's true. Actually, when I saw it, I said, 'Whose body did they put my head on?' And they said, 'No, it's just lit like that.' That's what bodybuilders do."
Texas Superhero Collectors Show - Austin TX - Jan 9 to 10th
Come and join TV's BATMAN & ROBIN at this show. ADAM WEST and BURT WARD will be in attendance along with the TV BATMOBILE and BATBOAT.
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