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(For news from previous months, click on the "News archives" link on
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July 29, 2005
Minor Special Edition DVD update
source: The Digital Bits
The Digital Bits is reporting that the special Edition of Batman Forever will NOT be a director's cut. A director's cut of Batman Forever has been rumoured for years.
July 27, 2005
Special Editions of previous Batman films are on the way
source:
Hollywood Reporter
DC's post Infinite Crisis plans
source:
Newsarama
Following the storyline, "Infinite Crisis" all of the DC titles will take place
one year after the crisis. However DC's Exec Editor Dan Didio announced that DC
will be releasing a weekly series with a working title '52' that will take place
in real time and show just what happened in the time right after Infinite
Crisis.
Hit the link above to Newsarama to see more of Didio's comments
For those wondering how Batman will be affected by this, go
Here,
(MAJOR SPOILER WARNING)
July 25, 2005
What's in store for 'The Batman'?
source: Comics Continuum
The Upcoming Season of 'The Batman' will see the introduction of Batgirl, Poison Ivy and Commissioner Gordon. Batgirl and Ivy will be voiced by new voice actors Danielle Judovits and Piera Coppola while Mitch Pileggi (X-Files) will do the voice of Gordon. Full details on these additions can be found Here
Batman Begins Box Office Details
source: Box Office Mojo
Batman Begins slipped to ninth place this weekend and had a take of $4.7
million bringing its domestic total to 191.1 million dollars. The film does have
the potential to reach the 200 million dollar mark
July 18, 2005
Jim Aparo (1932-2005)
source: Newsarama
Some very sad news to report. Legendary Batman artist Jim Aparo passed away Tuesday morning from complications from a previous illness. Aparo started as an artist in the 60's drawing stories of different genres. He started his long work on Batman in 1971 in the book Brave and the Bold issue 98. He also worked on Batman and the Outsiders and has illustrated Batman stories in the 80's and 90's. He is one of the few artists to work on Batman in three decades. He has also worked on several Batman stories which have been significant in Batman's history such as Death in the Family, A Lonely Place of Dying and Knightfall
Jim Aparo leaves behind his wife Julie, his 3 children, his 4 Grandchildren and two step-grandchildren
More details about Jim's career and funeral arrangements can be found Here
Rest well Mr. Aparo. You were one of the greats
The Brave and the Bold returns
source: Newsarama
At the San Diego Comic Con, DC announced that they would be doing a new run of Brave and the Bold which will be written by Mark Waid. The title will feature team ups of different DC heroes including Batman.
Batman Alumni pick up Eisners
source: Newsarama
Though no Batman projects won, several former Batman talent did take home this prestigious award given to top comic talent and projects and they are as follows
Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham - Best Serialized Story: Fables #19-27: “March of the Wooden Soldiers,”
Darwyn Cooke - Best Limited Series: DC: The New Frontier
Brian K. Vaughan - Best New Series, Best Writer: Ex Machina
Frank Quitely -Best Penciller/Inker WE3 (Vertigo/DC)
Todd Klein - Best Lettering
James Jean - Best Cover Artist:Fables (Vertigo/DC); Green Arrow, Batgirl (DC)
Also the Bill Finger Excellence in Comic Writing Award was handed out for the
first time. The first winners were the late Jerry Siegel and Arnold Drake
July 15, 2005
Batman News from Comic Con
source: Comic Book
Resources
DC held its "Year of the Bat" panel where several new projects were announced and Batman creators answered questions. Here are some of the new projects
-Greg Rucka will team with Steve Lieber on an issue of Gotham Central which
appears to have a visit from Captain Marvel
-A three issue story written by Will Pfifer and illustrated by Chris Weston in
"Legends of the Dark Knight"
-Also in Legends of the Dark Knight, a double-sized issue written by Eddie
Campbell with art by Bart Sears
-Paul Pope will do a four part prestige format mini series
Also Bob Schreck told audiences that the editorial structure has changed in the Bat titles. For instance one editor will oversee both 'Batman' and 'Detective' comics but not the other Bat-titles.
For more details go Here
Note to Greg Rucka: The way Ra's name is pronounced in the film is the correct way according to those who speak Arabic
Jeph Loeb and Darwyn Cooke to do Batman/Spirit teamup story
source: Newsarama
Topps to release new Batman trading cards
source: Comics Continuum
Topps will be releasing a 90 card set based on 'The Batman' animated show. the set will include sketch cards, lenticular motion cards, foil stickers and magnet cards. The imagery for the cards will be taken from the first 13 episodes
July 13, 2005
Just a Reminder...That All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder is out today. (Click on Cover to see larger version)
Bill Willingham signs two year exclusive with DC
source: Comics
Continuum
Robin writer Bill Willingham has signed a two year exclusive deal with DC. He also does work on Fables and the current 'Infinite Crisis' tie-in 'Day of Vengeance'
July 10, 2005
Batman Begins Box Office news
source: Box Office Mojo
Batman Begins continues to hold on in the top five at the box office. It was third with a take of 10 million dollars bringing its total to $172,105,000. Marvel's Fantastic Four took the top spot at $56 million while last week's Box Office Champ War of the Worlds was second with 31 million. It should be noted that Batman Begins has passed Batman Returns on box office grosses.
I wouldn't get too worked up over Fantastic Four's better opening than Batman Begins. Unlike Begins, Fantastic Four didn't have "baggage" from the past and likely drew more younger people to the box office as well. The true test will be to see if it has the staying power like Batman Begins. (No I'm not trying to start a Marvel vs. DC war or anything...)
Frank Miller Talks "All Star Batman and Robin"
source: Newsarama
Newsarama has an interview with Frank Miller as he talks about his upcoming maxiseries 'All Star Batman and Robin'. Miller discusses Jim Lee, his views on Batman and Robin and more...
July 8, 2005
Batman Begins sequel detailssource: Batman on Film
Batman on Film has an interesting rumour on the sequels to Batman Begins. One of Bill's sources is saying that Christopher Nolan will film the second and third films together as their stories are linked. BOF is also reporting that the sets used in Batman Begins are still up.
There are also rumours going around that Justin Timberlake is up for the role of Two-Face. I doubt that it is true
'The Batman' vs. Dracula on DVD
source: Comics Continuum
On October 18, Warner Home Video will be released a direct to video film featuring Batman in 'Batman vs Dracula' with Batman being the one from the current show.
Features include, short behind the scenes videos, interviews and a feature on Dracula