Send all credible news to
ajbat1@gmail.com
(For news from previous months, click on the "News archives" link
on the left)
| October 30, 2002 Batman 608 gets a second printing source: Comics Continuum |
Circle November 13 if you missed Batman 608 the first time. The title is getting a second printing and will have a different cover.
| Birds of Prey news: Sung Hi Lee cast as Lady Shiva source: Comics Continuum |
Korean Model/actress Sung Hi Lee has been cast to play Lady Shiva in an
upcoming episode of the Birds of Prey. Lady Shiva trained Tim Drake and
is considered one of the top martial artists in the DC universe.
| October 23, 2002 Batman: Dark Tommorow promotion source: Newsarama |
DC Comics will be joining Kemco, makers of the upcoming Batman: Dark Tommorow video game, by publishing a limited edition two issue story that will serve as a prequel to the game.Here are the full details via Newsarama
Press Release
Japan-based videogame publishing powerhouse Kemco and comic book giant DC
Comics announced together that they will create a limited edition, two-part
comic book that will serve as a prequel to the storyline of Kemco's upcoming
action/adventure title, "Batman: Dark Tomorrow." The first of
two collectible comic books will be included as a pack-in within top-tier
platform-specific enthusiast publications, distributing over 1.4 million
comic books nationwide. The comic pack-in for each of the publications will
have a cover created exclusively for that magazine. The second, digest-size
comic book will be included in the retail game package and limited to the
first production run of the game, and will feature a custom cover for each
of the three platforms.
"Batman: Dark Tomorrow" is the first modern Batman video game
to date based not on the movie or animation series, but on the original
DC Comics comic book.
"We are incredibly excited to be working on a project of this magnitude
with DC Comics," said Glenn Halseth, vice president of sales and marketing
of Kemco. "Creating this custom, limited-edition collectible comic
book assures core gamers and Batman fans alike that we are developing and
publishing a game that will represent Batman as intended by his original
creators."
DC Comics assembled an all-star creative team to design the custom two-part
comic book, including Batman and "Batman: Dark Tomorrow" writer
Scott Peterson, industry veteran Rick Burchett, known for his work on Batman,
Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern and the Justice League
of America, Colorist David Baron, Group Editor of Creative Services Martin
Pasko, and Associate Producer Multimedia Publishing Michael Siglain.
In "Dark Tomorrow" Batman must use all of his skills, both mental
and physical, as well as a variety of gadgets, to defeat some of his most
infamous adversaries, including Poison Ivy, Killer Croc and many others.
In addition, he must infiltrate Arkham Asylum and rescue Police Commissioner
James Gordon. During this time, Batman has to piece together clues to discover
the mastermind behind these seemingly unrelated events and stop an evil
plan that threatens the fate of the entire world!
David McKillips, vice president of advertising for DC Comics stated: "It
was important for DC Comics to bring together a superlative creative team
to work on these original comics, a team that would parallel the strength
of our strategic partnership with Kemco."
I'm looking forward to this game since I was disappointed by Batman: Vengeance.
Also while I like the animated series, I look forward to a Batman game that
isn't based on the show. Let's hope it is a good one (and that I can get
my hands on video game machine - AJ)
| Batman 608 sold out!! source: Comics Continuum |
Batman continues to be a top seller for DC. The company announced that the title sold out on its debut. Here are some comments from Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee and others from the Comics Continuum
"This is really exciting! I've never experienced anything like it before," Lee said. "I think it's a positive sign of the industry's continuing rebound, and it puts Batman in his rightful place."
"Wow. This is the perfect news after a lot of hard work on the part of Jim and Scott, as well as Alex Sinclair, Richard Starkings, Morgan Dontanville, and Bob Schreck," Loeb said. "Special thanks to Mark Chiarello who set this whole thing in motion and to everybody in marketing at DC who got the word out. We hope that everyone who is looking for a copy can find one - and if not, share yours with a friend!"
"As the issue goes on sale, we'll monitor retailer feedback to gauge sell-through with an eye toward whether we'll go back to press on the issue," said Bob Wayne, DC's VP - Sales & Marketing.
"Since we talk to the retailers every day, that shouldn't
be a problem." "Every time we showed more parts of this issue
in the press, at conventions or anywhere else, retailer interest has soared,"
said Vince Letterio, DC's Manager - Direct Sales. "When the Sneak Peek
copies reached stores last Wednesday, reorder activity increased dramatically.
For the past few days, we've been taking reorders with both hands - and
we're ready to take more on subsequent issues."
| Yet another telling of Batman's origin. This time from
Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee source: DC Comics |
Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee continue to carve their niche in Batman's
history. On the DC comics website is a two page origin story done by them.
The origin pays homage to the very first origin by Bob Kane and Bill Finger
with a nod to Frank Miller's YEAR ONE. To see it, follow this
Link and select the "Exclusive" link
| October 20, 2002 Birds of Prey Ratings drop second week source: Comics Continuum |
Ratings for the Birds of Prey show were lower this week, but
the show appears to be holding strong in certain categories. Here is a breakdown
from the Comics Continuum
In other Birds of Prey news, the ratings for the second episode were
down from the series premiere, but Birds of Prey still improved the time
period year-to-year by 31 percent in adults 18-34 (3.4/9), 20 percent in
persons 12-34 (3.0/9), 120 percent in men 18-34 (3.3/10), 131 percent in
men 12-34 (3.0/9), 35 percent in adults 18-49 (2.7/7), 145 percent in men
18-49 (2.7/7), 250 percent in male teens (2.1/7) and 24 percent in total
viewers (5.1 million).
Birds of Prey was the No. 2-rated show in its time period in men 18-34 (3.3/10) and men 12-34 (3.0/9) and #3 in adults 18-34 (3.4/9) and persons 12-34 (3.0/9, one-tenth of a ratings point out of No. 2).
Birds of Prey also maintained all of its Dawson's Creek lead-in in persons 12-34, virtually all of its adults 18-34 and teen audiences and built on the 8 o'clock show in adults 18-49 (2.7/7) and total viewers (5.1 million).
The Continuum also noted that fate of the show won't be decided
until November sweeps.
| October 16, 2002 Birds of Prey future episode details source: Gotham Clocktower |
The Gotham Clocktower website has some details regarding future episodes of Birds of Prey. First off, Lori Loughlin (Full House) will play Dinah's mother (the original Black Canary). She will appear in the episode "Sins of the Mother" and will have the sonic cry.
It appears that the producers of Birds of Prey have listened
to the concerns and complaints of the fans and changes are on the way.
A list of some of the changes in store for this show can be found at Comics2film
by going
Here.
| New Logos for the Batman comics source: Newsarama |
The cover of the three core bat titles (BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS, GOTHAM KNIGHTS) will all have new logos. Batman 608 will be the first title to have the new logos. Legends of the Dark Knight is still being made. These new logos will have a more comic booky look. To see these logos, click Here.
| October 11, 2002 Birds of Prey ratings success source: Comics Continuum |
Looks like WB may have another winner on its hands. Birds of Prey had strong ratings on its debut. Here are the full details from the Comics Continuum
Birds of Prey, the network's final new show to premiere scored the highest ratings of any of its debuts this season.
Birds of Prey attracted 7.6 million viewers and equaled the network's second-best-ever rating in adults 18-34 (5.0 rating/14 share) and achieved the second-highest-ever rating in men 18-34 (5.4/15).
Birds of Prey and Dawson's Creek combined to set a new record for a Wednesday night on The WB in adults 18-34 (4.6/14), men 18-34 (4.3/13) and men 18-49 (3.1/8) and equal the best-ever Wednesday in adults 18-49 (3.4/9). Birds of Prey also set a new record for a Wednesday series on The WB in adults 18-49 (3.9/10) and men 18- 49 (4.1/11). The debut ranked #1 for the night in men 18-34 (5.4/15), men 12-34 (4.9/14) and male teens (3.7/ 12) and was #2 in its time period in adults 18-34 (5.0/14), persons 12-34 (4.5/13), women 18-34 (4.5/12) and women 12-34 (4.0/12).
Birds of Prey more than doubled last season's time period premiere of Felicity in adults 18-34 and adults 18-49 demos and quadrupled the former series in all male demos.
| Peter David involvement with animated Teen Titans source: Comics2film, PeterDavid.net |
Comic book writer Peter David (Young Justice and other titles) announced on his website that he was involved with developing the animated Teen Titans. Here is a snippet from his website
"I hewed to DC continuity where I could, but also
made a variety of changes for assorted reasons," David writes. "I
won't go into detail as to what because I don't RECALL [emphasis his] signing
a confidentiality agreement, but if I did and just forgot about it, I wouldn't
want to violate it. Anyway, my initial work on the project was strong enough
to help get the series green lit."
|
Ed Brubaker DC exclusive for 2 years |
Writer Ed Brubaker has signed a two year extension with DC as an exclusive to that company. In addition to Detective Comics and Catwoman, Ed will also be working on Gotham Central, Sleeper - a Wildstorm title and other DC and Vertigo projects.
| October 4, 2002 Additional Year One rumour Source: Batman of Film |
One of Bill's sources, has chipped in with their take on the Batman: Year One situation. As Bill has stated on his own site, approach this with caution.
"I agree with the 'Ain't it Cool' report that Darren Aronofsky's next film may indeed be the 'Batman' flick he has had on the back- burner. I know that Lorenzo is pushing hard to get the studio (WB--Jett) to greenlight it. And Aronofsky is keen on doing it if given the go-ahead. The disappointment of Batman fans with the demise of 'Batman vs. Superman' is not lost on the studio. WB wants to do a Bat-film; Aronofsky is available and willing; and Lorenzo is selling it hard. I predict it will get a summer 2005 slot from Warner Bros.'
Let's hope so.
| Batman: Dark Tomorrow delayed...Again!! Source: IGN |