Friday 26th March, 2004
BATMAN BEGINS.COM LIVE
This week saw the official movie site or the new Batman movie launched. So far the only content is the logo (left) for the movie. You can check it out at www.batmanbegins.com.
For a full summary of the cast, crew, plot and a round up of the news you can now check out our own new page devoted to the movie. make sure to visit the BATMAN BEGINS MOVIE PAGE on a regular basis, as well as the Movie News section below for the latest information.Last Minute Update: It seems that Warner Bros are planning ahead. A year before BB even opens, we have heard that WB are already scheduling the next Bat film for 2008.
No GWN Last Week.
Apologies for the lack of a new edition of Gotham Weekly News last Friday. I was on the road with the day job and couldn't get access to a reliable Internet hook up for a few days. Hopefully the bumper crop of news and information in this week's issue will make up for any short fall. One on-line task I did manage to complete last week was to set up an archive of all the past Notes From The Cave columns, which you can now find here.
See you next week
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IN THIS ISSUE
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COMICS NEWS
BATMAN NEWS FROM WIZARD WORLD LA
Last weekend' Wizard World Los Angeles show (which was actually in Long Beach) saw several announcments from DC including two new Batman projects. Firstly look out for Batman: The Order of Beasts by Eddie Campbell & Darren White that's coming out in July. It features a young Batman in London during the war. The Dark Knight will also be seen in in Sam Kieth's five-issue miniseries Scratch. The horror story features Batman investigating a town housing a dark secret. The mystery begins in June. DC representatives also hinted that there was something big coming up in Batman soon, but wouldn't be drawn on exact details just yet.
Following the announcement of Batman: Order Of The Beasts the PULSE news pages at the ComicCon web site published a lengthy interview with artist Eddie Campbell on the project and his life long interest in drawing Batman. You can find the interview here.
COMICS SHIPPING IN JUNE
DC Comics has published the solicitations for comics shipping in June 2004, you can find the full list here.
JEPH LOEB TALKS "WORLDS FINEST"
At WizardWorld LA, writer Jeph Loeb announced that his commitment to the Superman/Batman title runs out at issue #25. His final story arc will be drawn by Ed McGuiness, who started the title with Loeb. No word from DC if the book will end at #25 or will continue with a new writer.
Comic Book resources have a long interview with Loeb about the sucess of Superman / Batman which can be found here.
SALES CHARTS FOR FEBRUARY
Last week Diamond Comics Distributors released their sales charts for titles ordered in February 2004. The BATMAN related titles listed as follows:
Comics
Trade Paperbacks & Graphic Novels
Comics Shipping (March 31st)
BATMAN #625 -
Written by Brian Azzarello; art by Eduardo Risso; cover by Dave Johnson - The creative team of 100 BULLETS brings the 6-part "Broken City" to an explosive conclusion! Over the past 6 months, Batman has been pushed to his limits — physically and mentally. But when the Dark Knight finally catches up to Angel Lupo and discovers the dark secret behind a young boy's dead parents, his world is turned upside-down...and he'll need the help of The Joker to put things right! Don't miss the end of the Batman arc everyone is talking about! - BATMAN | 32pg. | Color | $2.25BATMAN/POISON IVY: CAST SHADOWS -
Written by Ann Nocenti; painted art and cover by John Van Fleet - A Prestige Format Special written by Ann Nocenti (Daredevil) with beautiful painted art by John Van Fleet (BATMAN: THE CHALICE) brings together the Dark Knight and his most alluring foe! A new skyscraper casts a shadow over Arkham Asylum, blocking the light from Ivy's cell and preventing her from growing plants. At the same time, Batman investigates the murder of a number of building developers when he becomes infected with a deadly toxin! - BATMAN | 64pg. | Color | $6.95CATWOMAN #29 -
Written by Ed Brubaker; art and cover by Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti - Selina Kyle has met a foe she can't bring down on her own. So where will she turn for help? And just when she doesn't need any more trouble, she realizes that someone is watching her, and her closest friends are nowhere to be found! -JLA #95 -
Written by John Byrne and Chris Claremont; art and cover by Byrne and Jerry Ordway - The John Byrne/Chris Claremont/Jerry Ordway blockbuster "10th Circle" arc continues! Superman's been brainwashed, and now he's in the hands of a fanatic cult — an ancient vampiric evil come to life and stalking the humans of the 21st Century! With things looking so dire, the JLA just might need the help of a strange new team that's been shadowing their every move... - DC UNIVERSE | 32pg. | Color | $2.25TEEN TITANS: A KID'S GAME -
Written by Geoff Johns; art by Mike McKone, Marlo Alquiza, Tom Grummett, Nelson DeCastro, and Kevin Conrad; cover by Michael Turner - A new collection featuring the sold-out TEEN TITANS #1-7! Witness the gathering of a new team of Teen Titans and their initial battle against an old, familiar foe: Deathstroke! The reasons behind his actions prove shocking to the team, and before the teen heroes can even get their feet on the ground, they must re-encounter the cult of Brother Blood. Plus, an intro by Johns and profile pages from TEEN TITANS/OUTSIDERS SECRET FILES #1! - DC UNIVERSE | 192pg. | Color | $9.95THE BATMAN - Preview
The recently Preview of the new "The Batman" animated show that aired on KidsWB can be found on-line here. The site is in French but the clip is in English.
NO BRUCE IN SMALLVILLE
"Smallville" writer Jeph Loeb said Sunday at WizardWorld LA that there are no plans for Bruce Wayne to appear on the show, due to the Caped Crusader swinging his way towards the silver screen. This puts paid to a rumor that has been circulating almost since the show was first announced.
MORE DETAILS ON DVD SET RELEASES
WB has informed Toon Zone that "the upcoming DVD
releases of Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and Challenge
of the Superfriends will not disappoint fans. The first set of DVD releases focusing
on the popular animated heroes will come in the summer.
A representative for WB said that every Batman: The Animated Series DVD boxed set
release will contain four discs. Each set will also feature between 24 - 28 episodes and
retail for around the same price of WB's current four disc animated releases, Superman:
The Animated Series and Challenge of the Superfriends will be released as two
disc sets.
A representative for WB Home Video was also quick to correct recent false information,
stating only Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and
Challenge of the Superfriends will be coming out as multi-disc boxed sets for the
foreseeable future. Future releases of other super hero properties, such as Teen Titans,
Justice League, and possibly Batman Beyond, will only be released as single,
episodic DVDs. These single disc DVDs will hit shelves the same time the larger,
multi-disc sets are released.
And what about extras? On each set - single or multi-disc - expect interviews,
commentary, videography about villains and heroes, and much more. Participants already
recorded for commentaries and interviews include Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett,
among others. Several members of the voice cast and creative team for each animated series
are heavily involved in production of these releases. Also, expect a few surprise creators
from the world of comic books to featured on these DVDs.
When asked about their plans for these DVD sets, the representative for WB said the plans
are to release every episode for each animated series. The first wave of these DVD box
sets, and new single volume releases, begins this summer. Expect an official announcement
from WB shortly."
BATMAN - Adam West (TV Land)
JUSTICE LEAGUE (Cartoon Network)
TEEN TITANS (Cartoon Network)
TEEN TITANS (KidsWB)
SUPER FRIENDS (Boomerang)
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
MAKER OF BATMAN DARK JUSTICE INTERVIEW
The Comics 2 Film web site has recently posted an extensive interview with Aaron Schoenke the man behind the critically acclaimed fan film BATMAN: DARK JUSTICE.
The full interview can be found here. Schoenke has also launched a new web-site for devotees of these fan films at BatmanFanFilms.com
WOLFGANG STILL WANTS BATMAN VS SUPERMAN
According to an article on the MediasharX web site Wolfgang Peterson is still keen to do a certain Batman movie, the article reports "Apparently Wolfgang Peterson is still interested in doing BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN. Thing is, he doesn't necessarily want to do it with Warner's current Batman (Bale) or their choice for Superman. His choices are apparently Orlando Bloom and Eric Bana, who he both just worked on TROY with."
LATEST BATMAN BEGINS RUMORS & NEWS
CATWOMAN UPDATES
TEEN TITANS COMMAND CENTER PLAYSETS
Bandai have announced a set of six mini Teen Titans Command Centers, - Packaged in sets of two they represent different areas of the Teen Titans headquarters, such as jail and each Teen Titan's command area. One playset in each pack features lights and sounds. Collect all three packs for a total of six playsets, and connect them together to form the Teen Titans Tower. Comes packed with two 3.5" figures and accessories. SRP $19.99. Release date June 2004.
NEW MATTEL BUCE WAYNE FIGURE
Mattell have released a new 6 inch action figure of Batman / Bruce Wayne that is already starting to show up in overseas markets (along with a new Nightwing figure). It should be released in the US within the next few weeks.
One "distinctive' feature of thsi figure is that Bruce's head can be pushed down into the body so the seperate Batman head and cape can be set into place.
WANT TO BE BATMAN? - AUDITIONS THIS WEEKEND
PRESS RELEASE
Bat Signal Sighted Over Six Flags Darien Lake
Batman Thrill Spectacular Live Stunt Show - Auditions March 27-28
DARIEN CENTER, NY - (March 15, 2004) - Batman battles The Joker and his evil henchmen as
they attempt to execute another devious plan to take over Gotham City in the Batman Thrill
Spectacular at Six Flags Darien Lake. Live stunt show auditions for the 2004 Batman Thrill
Spectacular based on the legendary DC Comics Super Hero will be held on Saturday, March 27
- 28 at 10 a.m. in the Batman Theatre locaated inside the theme park.
The park's Entertainment Department seeks talented stuntmen to act as the infamous Bruce
Wayne/Batman, The Joker, The Joker's henchmen, and a 25-30 year old female actor/dancer
with stage combat skills, to perform the role of super-model Jennifer Morgan.
The Batman Thrill Spectacular is the most action-packed and technically
advanced live show performed at the theme park. The show entertains viewers with special
effects and lighting, plenty of pyrotechnics, the incredible Batmobile, and breath-taking
stunts.
Applicants should to be able to perform stage combat, high falls and have superb
motorcycle skills including 360º turns, jumps, wheelies and power slides. ATV skills
should include speed, spins, and power slides. Also, applicants must have ability to
blindly drive the Batmobile, a manual transmission automobile.
More information at http://www.thrillnetwork.com/stories_view.php/204
PLANET COMICON - Kansas, MI - March 27-28
The annual Comics and Pop-Culture show in Kansas continues to expand each year, and this year guests include: RICK BURCHETT.
BIG APPLE COMIC CON - New York, NY - April 3-4
The April Big Apple show will be held at the Penn Plaza Pavilion and includes guests: CARMINE INFANTINO, DAB BRERETON and many others.
TAMPA COMIC AND TOY CONVENTION - , Tampa FL, April 4
Among the guests at this popular show will be DICK GIORDANO, ETHAN VAN SCIVER and AUSTIN JANOWSKY. Plus the organizers promise appearences by "Batman" and "Batgirl" along with the "Batcycle."
DYNAMIC FORCES AN FEST - Runnymeade NJ, April 24th
Dynamic Forces, creator of comics related collectibles, is venturing into the convention arena with a new style of show, designed to me more "intimate" than traditional cons and give visitors more access to the guests. The guests for this new show include: BRIAN AZZARELLO and EDUARDO RISSO.
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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 - 2004)
"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