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October 29, 2005

Batman Begins tops Weekly DVD Sales
source: Hollywood Reporter

Batman Begins continues to rack up its successes. For the week ending October 23, Begins sold four million DVD copies. It was also the top rented DVD making 11.36 million dollars

Batman Begins will be released on UMD December 20.


The Batman schedule
source: Comics Continuum

Here are the episodes for the week of November 7

Monday: The Laughing Bat
Tuesday: Night and the City
Wednesday: Bat and the Belfry
Thursday: Traction
Friday: RPM (New episode)
 

Go Here to read summaries of the two new episodes airing Saturday Nov 5 and Saturday Nov 12 as well as summaries for upcoming Teen Titan episodes 


Some words from new creative team on Superman/Batman
source: Pulse, Newsarama

Pulse has conducted a brief interview with the new upcoming writer of the Superman/Batman title Ethan Van Sciver. He talks about his plans and gives his thoughts on the two characters he'll be working with

Newsarama has artist Mark Verheidan's comments Here


Upcoming Infinite Crisis Covers
source: Newsarama

Newsarama also has previews of the Covers for Infinite Crisis #2 (Jim Lee and George Perez's) 3 and 4 (Both Perez's) and they can be seen by going Here

 

October 26, 2005

Lego awarded Batman license
source: Warner Brothers

Batman has become the latest character and/or property to get the Lego treatment. He joins Harry Potter and Star Wars as this press release reveals

Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced today that they have awarded the LEGO Group the construction toy license for DC Comics' "Batman". The agreement includes the rights to develop and market construction toys based on the classic "Batman" brand, inspired by the pages of DC Comic's comic books; Warner Bros. Animation's hit television series, The Batman; Warner Bros. Pictures' blockbuster feature film, Batman Begins, which debuted in theaters this past summer and any related theatrical releases or television programs that are produced during the period of this deal.

Beginning in April 2006, LEGO Group will introduce six new "Batman" products featuring constructible play sets with strong vehicle focus, cool functionality, gadgets and a library of collectible mini-figures.

"Our partnership with the LEGO brand on 'Harry Potter' has been an extremely successful one and we are excited about building our relationship through 'Batman'," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Domestic Licensing, Global Toys, Publishing and Themed Entertainment for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "LEGO Group brings a wealth of creativity and quality to the products they produce and are uniquely positioned to meet the high level of expectations we have for 'Batman', one of our marquis brands."

"Our experience shows that combining the right property with the construction play pattern is a formula for success, so we are thrilled to be working with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on the 'Batman' property," says Jill Wilfert, Vice President Global Partnership and Alliance Management for LEGO Group. "Not all stories translate to construction, but the 'Batman' setting, characters and focus on gadgets and vehicles allow us to create authentically detailed, functional and fun models that will have strong appeal and play value for children and adult collectors alike."

"Kids dream of the intricate world of Batman's Batcave full of crime fighting toys, and now they'll have the opportunity to make it all real, LEGO-Style," commented DC Comics President & Publisher Paul Levitz, "What could be more fun?"

The LEGO® "Batman" product line replicates the collectible craze the company created around its best-selling LEGO "Harry Potter" series - where the sets are intended to be combined to further the storyline and play-acting opportunities.

These new construction toys will be supported with television, print and online advertising, Web content, LEGO Club, targeted events, a model tour and retail promotions.
 


Christopher Nolan talks Batman Begins
source: Box Office Mojo

Box Office Mojo has a very good interview with Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan.

Here are some snippets

Box Office Mojo: Is Batman a hero?

Christopher Nolan: Hero has become such a bandied about word, used so broadly, and it ceases to have any meaning. Is Batman a hero? Certainly, he's more a hero than superhero [but] I think the word "hero" is very problematic. He has no superpowers, but he's a heroic figure. The reason to me he's heroic is because he's altruistic. He's trying to help other people with no benefit to himself and, whatever motivates him—and this was the tricky thing to really try and nail with Batman Begins as opposed to previous incarnations—is the difference between him and a common vigilante, the Punisher or Charles Bronson in Death Wish. To me, the difference is he is not seeking personal vengeance. We did not want his quest to be for vengeance, we wanted it to be for justice. That's what sends him looking for an outlet for his rage and frustration. What he chooses to do with it is, I believe, selfless, and therefore, heroic. And that, to me, is really the distinction—selfishness versus selflessness—and that is very noble. But it is a very fine distinction. I do think he is a heroic figure.

 

BOM: Are the sequels Batman Continues and Batman Ends?

Nolan: I can't talk about it. These are very early days. I'm going to do Prestige first—about a couple of magicians who become involved in sabotaging each other acts, set in turn of the century London—and then we'll be looking at doing a Batman picture.

BOM: Why didn't you provide an audio commentary for the Batman Begins DVD?

Nolan: I hate doing commentaries. I've done them on my other films because in each case they came up with a reason or an interesting way to do it. Insomnia was in production. For Following, I was just talking about how to make a film. As for talking about artistic interpretation, if you will, you can't possibly do that until the film has had its wings—because the film is not complete until it's had an audience. There's nothing more mortifying than to watch these commentaries on movies they've done before the movie's come out because you don't [really] know what the movie was [and how it played before those it was created to serve]. The movie's not finished until it's in front of an audience.

The Full Interview, can be found Here


Scott McDaniel renews contract with DC
source: DC Comics

Former Batman and current Robin artist Scott McDaniel will be staying with the company for two more years.

ARTIST SCOTT MCDANIEL EXTENDS HIS EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT WITH DC COMICS BY TWO YEARS

Scott McDaniel, whose dynamic drawing has graced series including ROBIN, NIGHTWING and BATMAN, has add 2-years to his exclusive agreement with DC Comics.

"I am extremely happy to continue working with all the amazing DC characters, both fictional and editorial," says McDaniel. "I am very excited about the new challenges ahead. When I was a boy, I absolutely loved Superman, Batman, Robin, the Flash, Aquaman, the Greens - both Lantern and Arrow - and it is a dream come true to vicariously live out their adventures through my pencil! The experience of working with editors like Bob Schreck, Michael Wright, Tom Palmer Jr., and Mike Carlin is professionally satisfying and creatively stimulating, as they are each committed to creating intelligent, interesting and challenging stories. Thanks, DC, for making all this possible!"

"I started working with Scott just as the Batman mantle was handed over to me here at DC, and all I can say is that I had the greatest experience watching this consummate pro slam-dunk his deadlines while never phoning in even a panel, let alone a page," says Group Editor Bob Schreck. "He thinks everything through: the layouts, the dynamics, the choreography, the lighting, the overall composition, EVERYTHING! He's a joy to work with, on every level, and we here at DC are very lucky indeed to have him on our team."

Some of McDaniel's work may be found in these collected editions, all available for reorder:

* BATMAN: BRUCE WAYNE - FUGITIVE Volume 1 (STAR17119)
* BATMAN: BRUCE WAYNE - FUGITIVE Volume 3 (STAR19513)
* JUST IMAGINE STAN LEE CREATING THE DC UNIVERSE VOLUME 3 TP (APR040320)
* NIGHTWING: LOVE & BULLETS (STAR10874)
* NIGHTWING: A DARKER SHADE OF JUSTICE (STAR12572)
* NIGHTWING: A KNIGHT IN BLUDHAVEN (STAR08162)
* NIGHTWING: YEAR ONE TP MAY050207

 


Greg Rucka talks OMACS
source: Pulse

Greg Rucka has some more things to say about his recent OMAC project series. He talks about the nature and the inspiration for the OMACS at Pulse
 


October 19, 2005

The Batman Schedule for next week
source: Comics Continuum

Here is the Cartoon Network Schedule for the week of October 24,

Monday: Swamped
Tuesday: Pets
Wednesday: Meltdown
Thursday: The Butler Did It
Friday: Batgirl Begins Pt. 2
Saturday: A Dark Knight to Remember


....And Finally

All Star Batman and Robin topped Diamond Distributors top 100 list for the month of September.


 

October 11, 2005

Batman Begins DVD review
source: various

With the DVD days away, here are some early reviews. Suffice to say it looks like this disc is a winner

-IGN
-The Digital Bits
-Batman on Film
 

Alan Moore collection announced
source: DC Comics

DC has announced that it will release a collection of Alan Moore's stories in a Book called: DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore in January. Included are the following Batman stories

-The Killing Joke
-Detective Comics 549-550
-Batman Annual 11

The collection includes an excerpt from Moore's Killing Joke proposal. The full list of stories that will appear in this collection can be found Here 


The Batman Schedule for the week of October 17
source: Comics Continuum

Here is Cartoon Network's schedule for next week

Monday: "The Clayface of Tragedy"
Tuesday: "The Cat, The Bat and The Ugly"
Wednesday: "Riddled"
Thursday: "JTV"
Friday: "Batgirl Begins Part One"
Saturday: "Batgirl Begins Part Two"


Steven Englehart chat transcript
source: Comic Book Resources

Steven Englehart recently did an online chat with Comic Book Resources and the transcript is now online. Steve talks about his career but does mention a few Batman points. Full details are Here



Christopher Nolan Talks Batman Begins DVD, sequels
source: About.com

About.com has an interview with Christopher Nolan who talks about the making of the Batman Begins DVD and drops a few hints on the sequel. Nolan also talks about his film Prestige

 

October 8,2005

DC's Who's Who Mystery Box set
source: Pulse

Next Spring, DC will be releasing a new toy line featuring characters from the DC Universe. Among the characters in the line include Batman (based on his design from Detective Comics 27) and Joker (Batman 613). The characters will be micro sized in a mystery box and will contain pieces which form a mini Batmobile.

Full details including which other characters are in this line can be found Here


Batman Begins nominated for Hollywood Film Festival Award
source: Yahoo Movies

The Hollywood Film Festival Award committee has released its list of nominees for its Hollywood Movie of the year award and Batman Begins has made the list. Also on the list is Sin City based on Batman alumni Frank Miller's works. Go Here to to vote and look at the other nominees


Greg Rucka, Bill Willingham talk about post OMAC, Day of Vengeance DC
source: Newsarama

Now that the OMAC project miniseries is over, Greg Rucka talks to Newsarama about the effects of his miniseries which has significantly affected the relationship between Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman and how it will affect the DCU. Bill Willingham does the same for his miniseries.

Go Here for Rucka's discussion and Here for Willingham. Both Articles are spoiler heavy

October 6, 2005

Batman Begins DVD pics
source: Comics Continuum

Comics Continuum has some pictures of the menus from the Batman Begins DVD. All the pictures can be found Here


Neal Adams to cover All-Star Superman
source: Comics Continuum

Though his upcoming Batman work is still a mystery, Neal Adams will be doing a variant cover for the All-Star Superman title that will debut in November.



Matt Wagner on Batman
source: Comic Book Resources

Matt Wagner has been interviewed by Comic Book Resources regarding his new Batman work Batman and the Monster Men. Here are some snippets

On his inspiration for his stories

"What I'm doing is-- and it should be evident from the titles-- is taking two of my favorite pre-Robin Golden Age stories and updating them for a modern audience," Wagner said. "'Batman and the Monster Men' actually ran in Batman #1 and features Hugo Strange, who creates the Monster Men. And the follow up series, 'Batman and the Mad Monk,' I think originally appeared in 'Detective' #31 and #32.

His thoughts on how Batman is

"There's a tendency to make Batman such a grim bad-ass, that he verges on being a bad guy himself," Wagner said. "I prefer to view him much more heroic. He's certainly driven but he is kind. He's polite. He's a good guy. He's a hero. He adopts these scary methods because he feels that's the only way to truly combat the criminal element around him and drive away the nightmares that haunt him. He's not just this grim soldier who just assumes this is the way the world is going to be forever. He wouldn't be fighting back if that was the case."
 

Julie Madison

"Here again I'm digging into the Golden Age stuff and following up with the way I'm portraying Bruce. He thinks he's going to have some semblance of a normal life some day so he has a girlfriend. He's got his Golden Age girlfriend, Julie Madison," Wagner explained. "In the Golden Age stories she's an actress and in mine she's a budding law student. The big supporting characters are her and her father."

The full Interview is Here


 


 

October 2, 2005

Crisis Counselling highlights from WizardWorld Boston
source: Various

Here are some Batman related highlights from the two DC panels from this weekend's Wizard World Convention

-Jason Todd's return is due to the events of the Infinite Crisis, however the issue of his return will be dealt with in the Batman comics

-According to Dan Didio, Batman, along with Superman and Wonder Woman, is considered a pillar of the DC Universe. Infinite Crisis is the result of these pillars not holding up and conflicts among the three due to their different perspectives. Didio likened Batman to a policeman whereas Superman was a fireman and Wonder Woman a social conscience.

-Didio's response to a question asking if Batman will die: "Bruce Wayne is Batman. That's your answer."

-Dick Grayson will find his way back into the Batman family (recent issues have him joining other forces)

-Greg Rucka told fans to expect a big surprise at the end of Gotham Central 37

Go Here and Here to read more regarding the Infinite Crisis and Here for an interview with Greg Rucka


Nolan and Bale team for another film?
source: Hollywood Reporter

Director Christopher Nolan is teaming up for another film with Christian Bale titled Prestige. The film is based on a novel of the same name by Christopher Priest which sees two Wizards in a heated battle for secrets. Interesting note is that Hugh Jackman of X-Men fame will play Bale's rival. 


The Batman Schedule for Cartoon Network
source: Comics Continuum

Here is a lineup for this week's episodes

Monday: The Big Dummy
Tuesday: Topsy Turvy
Wednesday: Bird of Prey
Thursday: The Rubber Face of Comedy
Friday: A Fistful of Felt
Saturday: Batgirl Begins part one